Hontiveros to Malacañang: Develop labor agenda immediately

Senator Risa Hontiveros (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Develop a labor agenda immediately to respond to Filipino workers’ worsening income and employment woes, Senator Risa Hontiveros pushed Malacañang on Wednesday.

Hontiveros said that serious government interventions are already needed as she supported labor groups’ agenda on the 159th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio.

“I think it is an urgent matter that we heed the calls of labor groups. Extraordinary ang epekto ng pandemya sa ekonomiya natin. Sa huling Pulse Asia survey, ito din naman ang mga nangungunang alalahanin ng mga kababayan natin. Kailangan na talaga ng seryosong government interventions,” she said in a statement.

(The effect of the pandemic on our economy is extraordinary. In the last Pulse Asia survey, this is the main concern of our fellow Filipinos. We need serious government interventions.)

“Para saan ang all star economic team ng administrasyon kung more than first 100 days na, wala man lang hirit ng konkreto and kumpletong plano? There must be a comprehensive plan to help workers cope with increasing inflation rates, declining job quality, and persistent unemployment,” she continued.

(What is the administration’s all-star economic team for if there is no concrete and complete plan in their more than 100 days in office?)

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For Hontiveros, the deliberation on the issue of security of tenure must be prioritized anew.

“The government should consider programs that guarantee income and employment. Gawin din nating prioridad ulit yung usapin ng security of tenure na masyadong pinapatagal. Anti-poor policies like contractualization need to be seriously reconsidered in this volatile economy,” said Hontiveros.

(Let us prioritize the discussion on security of tenure that has been long overdue.)

The senator earlier urged Malacañang to make wage hikes and job generation priority legislations.

Hontiveros is also advocating to protect gig economy workers and filed the Protektadong Online Workers, Entrepreneurs, Riders at Raketera bill.

JMS