Statement
May 2, 2023
The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) salutes the unity of the Philippines’ labor movement as demonstrated in the massive mobilization organized by All Philippine Trade Union alliance on May 1, Labor Day.
It is high time that the different labor groups joined hand in hand to push together for the much needed national minimum wage hike of P750 across the board and the lowering of prices of commodities. The last national minimum wage hike was in the 1980s and the current purchasing power of workers wages does not meet the international standard for a living wage.
“As the plight of workers continues to worsen under the administration of President Bongbong Marcos, it is vital and just for workers to assert their rights on the occasion of Labor Day,” said Peter Murphy, Chairperson of ICHRP Global Council.
“We continue to support the International Labor Organization (ILO)’s recently concluded High Level Tripartite Mission (HLTM) recommendations in achieving justice for victims of the Philippine government’s violations of workers’ rights. The Marcos Jr. government must uphold ILO Convention Nos. 87 and 98 on the Freedom of Association and to collectively bargain, which the Philippines ratified in 1953,” continued Murphy.
Despite being party to these conventions, the Philippines continue to grievously violate workers’ rights and has a poor track record in implementing laws that promote the welfare of workers. From the Duterte to Marcos Jr. administrations, union leaders and organizers continue to be red-tagged, harassed, killed, and slapped with trump-up charges. Union-busting also remains prevalent while labor organizers who exercise their right to organize, collectively bargain and participate in mobilizations are red-tagged through the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
ICHRP will continue to support the Philippine labor movement’s call for higher wages, an end to contractualization and for respect for their right to organize. We shall continue to expose to the international community the Philippine government’s continuing gross violations of workers’ rights.