By Brian Jules Campued
Joining the entire nation in paying tribute to the working class on Labor Day, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed to continue championing the rights and welfare of Filipino workers by improving working conditions in the Philippines.
“Kayo ang puso at kaluluwa ng ating lakas-paggawa, ang nagsusulong ng ating tagumpay, at ang dahilan kung bakit patuloy tayong nangangarap para sa isang mas maliwanag na bukas,” President Marcos said during the 122nd Labor Day Commemoration and the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of the Labor Code of the Philippines (LCP) at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday.
“Kayo ang mukha ng Bagong Pilipinas — magagaling, masisipag, at punong-puno ng dedikasyon — kaya’t nararapat lamang na bigyan ng dangal, respeto, at paghahanga. Umasa po kayo na ang mga manggagawang Pilipino, sa loob o labas man ng bansa, ay patuloy na aalagaan ng pamahalaan,” he added.
Marcos also directed the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) to review the minimum wage rates in their respective regions and adjust the wages in consideration of the effect of inflation on the labor sector.
The review should be done within 60 days prior to the anniversary of their latest wage order, the President said.
“I call on the National Wages and Productivity Commission to review its rules to ensure that the Boards are able to maintain a regular and predictable schedule of wage review, issuance, and effectivity to reduce uncertainty and enhance fairness for all stakeholders,” he added.
He also called on the Congress to enact laws that will support the government’s job creation agenda, such as the Enterprise-based Education and Training Program law, the Revised Apprenticeship Program Act, and the CREATE MORE (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentive for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy) Law.
“Gamit ang Philippine Development Plan bilang gabay, nagsusumikap ang pamahalaan upang mapabuti ang kalagayan ng mga manggagawa, mapatatag ang ekonomiya, lumikha ng mga karagdagang trabaho, at masugpo ang kahirapan sa bansa,” Marcos said.
“My fellow workers, we aim not just for job growth, but for quality and green jobs that are aligned with our vision for a sustainable, human capital-centered economy,” he added. – avds