Labor Yearender: Workers Are in The Frontlines of A Fight Against The Pandemic of Rights Violations

Labor Yearender: Workers are in the frontlines of a fight against the pandemic
of rights violations
Without a doubt, covid-19 has gravely affected everyone, rich and poor, employer and worker.
Still, workers and the poor are the ones who have been disproportionately impacted. The double-
digit economic recessions in the second and third quarters of this year has been felt as grinding
poverty and daily hunger by 7 million Filipino families as revealed in the SWS survey in
September.
The Philippine economy is in worse shape compared to its neighbors is due to the harsh and long
lockdown. It is the authoritarian response of the Duterte administration that is to blame for the
economic recession and the adverse effect on the working class. The administration was late in
forming a response and once it did, it treated the pandemic—similar to how it treated the drug
addiction—as a peace and order concern instead of a public health matter. The severe lockdown
shuttered the economy, and left workers and the poor without jobs and livelihood for months on
end. The aid provided by the government reached only 3 million households out of 16 million
Filipinos who were temporarily jobless during the lockdown. Today 4.5 million are unemployed
and 2.2 million more are out of work but are not officially jobless only because they stopped
looking for employment.
To make matters worse, employers used the pandemic as an opportunity to deny workers their
benefits and their rights. Workers were put on floating status for more than the six months
allowed by law. Establishments reopened but replaced regular workers with new hires on endo
status. Some employers shutdown their firms without paying workers separation and other
benefits. Capitalist Grinches are exploiting the pandemic to bust unions as shown by the
experience of the Arcya Glass Employees Union in Laguna and the First Glory labor union in the
Mactan ecozone.
While the pandemic of rights violations spread, the Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) exercised social distancing from workers. The DOLE released a series of orders and
advisories that denigrated labor standards and rights. Labor Advisory 17 allowed employers to
cut wages and benefits as long as workers will agree. But workers were left with no choice but to
bite the bullet of wage cuts as the DOLE suspended the filing of complaints under DO 213.
Labor groups called on the DOLE to dialogue but were repeatedly denied. Meanwhile the
government banned protests and arrested those who tried using the pandemic as an alibi. In one
incident, the picketline of Sejung Apparel workers in the First Cavite Industrial Estate was
dispersed by police and guards in the middle of Black Friday night for allegedly violating
quarantine rules. With workers strikes and street protests effectively banned, Congress railroaded
the Anti-Terror Law.
But workers are fighting back and are in the frontlines of the struggle to reclaim their rights. The
Arcya Glass workers spent their holidays in the picketlines to protest the continued operation of
the factory despite allegedly being permanently closed. The First Glory labor union has voted to
go on strike to demand the reinstatement of 300 fired workers. Labor groups in the Philippines
together with international union federations have formed the Caucus of Global Unions Pilipinas
to call for the repeal of the Anti-Terror Law on pain of the country losing its trade privileges with
Europe. Workers in four big factories in the Mactan ecozone have organized into unions as a
result of recent grievances over lack of aid during the pandemic and long-running issues over
wages and benefits. Certifications elections are due to be held next year in the four firms. We
predict that 2021 will see a resurgence of workers’ actions to defend democratic freedoms and
labor rights.
Summary
The effects of covid-19 have affected everyone, including the poor and workers. In September,
the SWS survey revealed that the economic recessions have affected over 7 million families.
The Philippines' economy is in worse shape than its neighbors due to the prolonged and harsh
lockdown carried out by the Duterte admin. It was the authoritarian response of the government
that led to the economic recession. The prolonged and harsh lockdown left millions of Filipinos
jobless.
During the pandemic, many establishments violated the rights of workers by not paying them
their dues and benefits. They then used the pandemic to terminate their operations and shut down
their union units.
The DOLE issued several orders and advisories that undermined the rights of workers. These
included the suspension of the filing of complaints under Republic Act 7 or the Anti-
Discrimination Law.
Despite the lack of support from their employers, workers have still pushed on with their fight
for their rights. For instance, the Arcya Glass workers went on strike to protest the company’s
continued operations despite an alleged closure. The First Glory labor union in the Philippines is
pushing for the reinstatement of fired workers.
Upgraded
The effects of covid-19 have affected everyone, including the poor and workers. In September, the SWS
survey revealed that the economic recessions have affected over 7 million families.
The Philippines' economy is in worse shape than its neighbors because of the prolonged and harsh
lockdown allotted by the Duterte admin. it had been the authoritarian response of the govt. that led to
the economic recession. The prolonged and harsh lockdown left a lot of Filipinos jobless.
During the pandemic, many establishments violated the rights of workers by not paying them their dues
and benefits. They then used the pandemic to terminate their operations and clean up their union units.
The DOLE issued several orders and advisories that undermined the rights of workers. These included
the suspension of the filing of complaints under Republic Act 7 or the Anti-Discrimination Law.
Despite the shortage of support from their employers, workers have still pushed on with their fight for
his or her rights. as an example, the Arcya Glass workers went on strike to protest the company’s
continued operations despite an alleged closure. the primary Glory union within the Philippines is
pushing for the reinstatement of fired workers.

Labor Yearender: Workers Are in The Frontlines of A Fight Against The Pandemic of Rights Violations

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Labor Yearender: Workers Are in The Frontlines of A Fight Against The Pandemic of Rights Violations

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Labor Yearender: Workers Are in The Frontlines of A Fight Against The Pandemic of Rights Violations

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Labor Yearender: Workers are in the frontlines of a fight against the pandemic

You might also like