As labor groups took to the streets to slam what they called his “irresponsible” government, President Rodrigo Duterte on Labor Day, May 1, said his government has been striving to “work as vigorously ” as workers’ groups in ensuring their rights, including security of tenure.

“To all Filipino workers here and abroad, let me assure you that this administration will endeavor to work as vigorously as you have in creating an environment where security of tenure, statutory labor standards, and workers’ rights are not only upheld and protected, but also cherished as the foundations of a strong and thriving workforce,” said Duterte.

“This year, we honor our Filipino workers who – fueled not just by the desire to support their families and advance their careers – have tirelessly toiled these past several months to ensure that our society will continue to function in the face of an unprecedented health crisis that crippled industries across the world,” he also said.

Amid the pandemic, labor groups pushed through with their annual physical protest on Saturday, calling for higher wages and pandemic aid. Several groups also pushed for a paid pandemic leave.

The overall sentiment of unions and workers’ organizations for this year’s Labor Day is collective disappointment over what for them has been a failed pandemic response, as some distressed workers have yet still to receive any financial aid. 

“Given Duterte’s disastrous pandemic response and unwillingness to act on the changes that we need, we workers have no other option but to demand his resignation,” Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) said in its Labor Day statement.

“The working people of the Philippines deserve a government and society that genuinely cares and is committed to our development. Duterte has had almost six years to prove this, and he has consistently failed from Marawi to COVID-19,” it added.

According to data from the Kilosang Mayo Uno (KMU), there are 3.9 million jobless Filipinos as of January 2021. The group said that one in every two companies implemented layoffs, such that 9 in every 10 contractual workers lost their jobs during the pandemic. The group added 4 in every 10 workers are still under no work, no pay status.

In his message, Duterte also honored healthcare workers and other frontliners who “sustained our communities and industries during these difficult times.”

“On behalf of a grateful nation, I express my deepest gratitude to our hardworking healthcare workers and essential frontliners for their unwavering commitment in ensuring the unhampered delivery of goods and services that continue to sustain our communities and industries during these difficult times,” Duterte said in his Labor Day message on Saturday.

On Twitter, former vice president Jejomar Binay said the government can properly honor and thank workers by giving them what they deserve.

“How should national government thank them? Sapat na cash aid, libreng swab test, hayaan ang private sector na magbakuna ng empleyado. Gayahin ang community pantries at magbigay ng pagkain sa mga mahihirap,” said Binay.

(Sufficient cash aid, free swab tests, let the private sector vaccinate their employees. Be like the community pantries that gave food to the poor.)

In her Labor Day message, Vice President Leni Robredo also honored workers who have powered the economy through the pandemic, and pushed for workers’ rights and welfare, and an end to contractualization. – Rappler.com