AS long as Filipinos serve foreign masters, there can never be true independence.
This was the claim made by Migrante Philippines yesterday, saying Filipinos working overseas is one glaring proof the Philippines has yet to gain full independence from other nations.
“Because of the systemic peddling of the Marcos administration of Filipino workers to foreigners, many are opting to leave their families to work abroad,” Migrante Philippines said in a statement.
“This means that our economy remains tied up to serve foreign masters,” it added. “As long as we are dependent on OFWs, there is no real independence for the Filipino people.”
Worse, the OFW group said, there is little to no protection for their rights whenever they are employed overseas.
“What awaits OFWs abroad is the lack of protection, abuses, and slave-like working conditions,” it said.
In his Independence Day statement, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac renewed the agency’s commitment to protect and support all OFWs.
He said this is in recognition of OFWs being the modern-day heroes for braving new cultures, overcoming challenges, and diligently contributing to the economy.
“We strive to ensure your well-being, protect your rights, and empower you to reach your full potential as equal partners in national economic development,” Cacdac said.
“We envision a future where every Filipino worker abroad feels safe, empowered, valued, and determined to further contribute to nation-building and pave the way for a more prosperous Philippines,” he added.
There are around 2.3 million OFWs deployed all over the world.
POVERTY WAGES
The Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (NAGKAISA) yesterday called on the government to give workers the freedom from poverty wages.
In a statement, the coalition said it is imperative to raise workers’ salaries to remove their “chains” to poverty wages effectively.
“We call on the government to act decisively on this Independence Day. Now, we need to unshackle our workers from poverty by giving them living wages,” the coalition said.
“While we commemorate the country’s independence, let us not forget the freedom of workers to strive for a better life,” it added.
To provide workers with better living wages, the labor group urged the House of Representatives to pass the proposed legislated P150 wage hike immediately.
“Give workers living wages. Start with a nationwide P150 daily wage hike,” it said, adding the reliance on regional wage boards for 35 years now can no longer be tolerated.
“These wage boards often set wages that do not rise above the poverty threshold, thereby ensuring that workers remain chained to poverty wages,” the coalition said.
While the Senate has passed a P100 wage increase, public hearings are still ongoing in the House Committee on Labor for a P150 pay hike.
