Glory to the working folk this International Workers Day!
Reignite the determination against oppression
and towards justice, freedom, and democracy!
Kat Ulrike
This note is in one with the working people in celebration of the International Workers Day this May 01.
On this occasion, let the working folk reignite the determination to advance the struggle against various forms of exploitation as well as the struggle of the Filipino people for genuine nationalism and democracy.
For as workers, coming from various sectors, have showed their tireless hard work, dedication, and contribution to the world and to history. But as this note honours its achievements, let people not forget the realities, challenges that workers had to endure and the reason to fight for their rights and welfare.
Because the working class's conditions continue to deteriorate as a result of the current order’s crisis, various forms of exploitation deteriorate further under the Marcos Regime. This regime, like its predecessors, has pursued anti-worker and anti-people policies that benefit entrenched interests of both local landlords, compradores, and multinational companies. The regime's neoliberal policies, such as contracualisation and "flexible employment," continue to be implemented, exacerbating the repressive and unjust conditions of Filipino workers. Wages remained low while prices of commodities and utilities, as well as taxes, continue to increase while big companies able to have tax cuts after the passage of “Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act”. The presidential visits of Marcos jr. abroad contradicts the fact that the country continues to wallow in poverty.
In the BPO sector, for example, workers are asserting issues such as contractualization, lower wages, the need for safe workplaces and better working conditions, as well as freedom of association, despite providing a whopping 32.5 billion dollars, as entry level wages are now as low as 11000 monthly, significantly lower than the minimum wage.
Furthermore, this note condemned the recent killings of trade unionists and activists who advocate for workers' rights and welfare. Alex Dolorosa, a union organizer and civil rights fighter, was one of them. For his death demonstrates that the current administration is the same as its predecessor in that it exhibits lawlessness and impunity, from red tagging to extrajudicial killing and organizations like the NTFELCAC, all from a government that claims to be maintaining peace and order, including in the workplace.
Despite these challenges, workers from the service to manufacturing sectors, as well as farmers, women, and youths, continue to advocate for better wages, safer workplaces, an end to unfair policies, and the right to association and representation. Recently, unions demand for a 750.00 peso wage increase, while teachers asserted for an upgrade in their salaries. In the BPO sector, workers campaigned for the passage of a Magna Carta for BPO workers, which aims to protect and maintain their rights and welfare.
But the struggle for the working class doesn’t end in the working masses alone. As builders, forgers, creators of society and history still endured in hardship and oppression, should reignite national consciousness in a country still bound by unjust trade agreements and acting as vassal by countries like the United States and China. Looking back at history, the working class who joined the Katipunan, the Union Obrero Democratica, and the HUKBALAHAP had showed its dedication to see a nation that’s meant to be independent, just, and prosperous. Farmers demand land reform; Moros, Cordillerans, and indigenous folks for their right to self-determination; patriotic businesspeople for nationalist industrialisation; the youth for its right for education; professionals for their right to expression and creativity; and women for equal rights and opportunities. All these would say that the labouring folk should hand in hand with the oppressed and disenfranchised sectors in its struggle to break free a nation from its vassalage by big countries and entrenched interests, from its domestic despotism.
Thus, this statement reiterates the working class's appeal to unite and fight for decent wages, improved working conditions, safe workplaces, and the right to organize, as well as the nation's need for genuine freedom and true democracy.
Glory to the working people, the builders of society and history! Glory to the first of May, the day of solidarity of the working people around the world against oppression and injustice!
Workers and oppressed masses around the world, unite!