AMID the celebration of Labor Day, senators paid tribute to the Filipino workers here and abroad describing them as the country’s pride and greatest wealth.
“Saludo tayo sa dangal, husay at lakas na ipinapamalas ng ating manggagawa para itaguyod ang kanilang pamilya at pangarap. Sa kabila nito, nahaharap pa rin ang karamihan sa kawalan ng seguridad sa trabaho at kahirapan, lalo na ang ating mga kababayang magsasaka, mangingisda, tsuper at mga contractual workers,” Senator Grace Poe said.
“In the Senate, we have earlier passed on third and final reading the P100 wage hike bill to help ease the impact of the rising costs of living on our workers. We reiterate our call to employers who are capable to provide supplementary allowance or extend any assistance to their employees to help them get by,” added Poe as she urged all employers to give some considerations to ordinary workers who have no options but to continue to brave the extreme hot weather.
“We urge offices to provide heat breaks, alternative work set-up, and observe other measures to ensure a safe environment for their workers,” Poe said.
Senator Risa Hontiveros hailed Filipino workers saying it is high time that the government provide them with proper security and protection, as she explained that our workers deserved the help and support from the government.
“Isang matayog na pagpupugay sa lahat ng manggagawang Pilipino! Holiday man itong pambansang araw ng paggawa, hindi naman dapat nagho-holiday ang pagpapatatag ng seguridad at proteksyon ng lahat ng ating mga kababayang araw-araw dumidiskarte,” Hontiveros said.
She also suggested to expand the present labor laws that will provide more help for the labor sector.
Hontiveros insisted that Filipino workers must be given the privileges that they deserve, saying that these Filipino workers here and abroad were instrumental in building the economy of this nation.
For his part, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Filipino workers are the modern hero.
“This country is built on the hard work of our workers. They power our industries, and any economic gains that we make as a country is a thanks in large part to their labor.” Zubiri said.
Zubiri said despite having a vital role in our economic landscape, Filipino workers remain largely undervalued for their contributions.
“Sa senado, naipasa na natin ang P100 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act bilang tugon sa panawagan ng ating mga mangagawa,” Zubiri said.
Senator Pia Cayetano described Filipino workers as the “backbone of our country’s sustainable growth.”
Cayetano honors them by championing policies that support and empower women in the workplace, includinglaws expanding maternity leave benefits, promoting breastfeeding at work, and prohibiting age-based discrimination in employment.
For Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, he reiterated the passage of the Revised Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (Senate Bill No. 2493).
The proposed measure aims to introduce substantial amendments to the 57-year-old Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (Republic Act No. 4670) to uphold teachers’ welfare and provide crucial benefits, including calamity leave, educational benefits, and longevity pay.
It also aims to address the conditions for granting special hardship allowance, enhances salary criteria, and protects teachers from out-of-pocket expenses.
“Alalahanin natin ang dedikasyon sa trabaho ng ating mga guro. Sila ang humuhubog sa galing at kakayahan ng ating mga mag-aaral kaya itaguyod natin ang mas mataas na sahod at mas maayos na kabuhayan para sa kanila. Tiyakin din natin na nasa mabuti silang kalagayan upang ipagpatuloy ang hindi mapapantayan nilang sakripisyo,” said Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.