NAGKAISA Labor Coalition

Emergency Power without Sectoral Consultation and Cohesive Plan is Prone to Abuse

2026-03-25T21:00:00.001+08:00

The declaration of a national state of energy emergency by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. raises serious questions among them, the lack of clear plan and democratic consultations with different sectors.

Extraordinary powers demand a clear plan. Yet the government has not presented a concrete strategy explaining how these emergency powers will actually address the crisis. Declaring a national emergency without a clear roadmap is the perfect recipe for abuse.

Executive Order No. 110 itself concedes that the measures to address the crisis are to be undertaken ‘under existing laws.’ In other words, the power was always there - the plan was not.

Instead of resorting to sweeping emergency measures without a clear program, the President should have convened a national summit bringing together workers, employers, farmers, transport groups, and civil society to unite the country around a common strategy to confront the crisis.

Workers and ordinary people are the ones suffering from rising prices and economic uncertainty. They deserve more than vague declarations and emergency powers.

If the government has no clear answers and ends up more confused than the vulnerable sectors, then it should have the humility to ask the people. Real solutions will not come from emergency proclamations but from a nation mobilized behind a clear, democratic plan to confront the crisis.

Workers do not need a state of emergency; they need a State with a plan. If government cannot present one, it should at least have the humility to listen by convening a forum for consultation —otherwise, all we have is sound and fury, signifying nothing.

PRESS STATEMENT

25 March 2006

Nagkaisa Labor Coalition

NAGKAISA STATEMENT ON THE U.S. ATTACK ON VENEZUELA

2026-01-04T12:00:00.001+08:00

NAGKAISA condemns in the strongest terms the U.S. military attack on Venezuela. This act of aggression violates national sovereignty and international law and directly endangers the lives, jobs, and welfare of Venezuelan workers and their families.

As trade unionists, we recognize that war, foreign intervention, and economic coercion always fall hardest on working people—destroying livelihoods, weakening labor rights, and undermining public services. This attack is clearly another attempt by the United States to secure control over Venezuela’s vast oil resources, once again putting profit and corporate interests over the lives and rights of workers.

We are not blind to Venezuela’s internal political crisis. Maduro’s democratic legitimacy has long been contested—particularly his 2018 election and his most recent third term vote, which the opposition and many observers have challenged as tainted by fraud, intimidation, and violence. But even contested legitimacy does not give any foreign power a legal license to invade, bomb, kidnap, or “run” another country. The future of Venezuela must be decided by Venezuelans, through genuinely free and credible democratic processes—not by foreign guns, sanctions, or geopolitical fiat.

Even if the US president claims that his country has serious grievances against Maduro and his wife, it cannot simply attack another sovereign nation without violating international law: the UN Charter’s prohibition on the use of force (Article 2(4)), and the core principles of sovereignty and non-intervention. Absent UN Security Council authorization or a valid claim of self-defense under Article 51, such an invasion is unlawful and offends peremptory (jus cogens) norms, including the prohibition of aggression.

The Trump administration might have committed the crime of aggression, which the court at Nuremberg described as the supreme crime, and commonly understood by the community of nations as “the worst crime of all.”

NAGKAISA stands in solidarity with Venezuelan workers and trade unions in their struggle for peace, democracy, and social justice. We call on workers’ organizations and democratic movements worldwide to oppose imperialist war, resource plunder, and all forms of foreign domination.

Hands off Venezuela.

Stop imperialist war and resource grabbing.

#HandsOffVenezuela

Statement of the NAGKAISA Labor Coalition for the Immediate and Unconditional Release of Lee Cheuk Yan

2025-11-12T11:30:00.001+08:00

The NAGKAISA Labor Coalition stands in firm solidarity with our comrades in the global labour and civil society movement in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Lee Cheuk Yan.

Lee, a well-known labour leader and pro-democracy activist, has been targeted under the sweeping provisions of China’s National Security Law imposed on Hong Kong in 2020—accused of “inciting subversion of state power” for his involvement in the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China and the exercise of his most basic rights: freedom of assembly, association, expression and memory.

We affirm that:

• The criminalisation of Lee’s peaceful work is a direct assault on trade union freedoms, on democratic space, and on the dignity of workers everywhere.

• The fact that Lee and others have been held for over 1,500 days for acting in defence of rights reveals the scale of repression we are up against.

• When the right to remember past struggles is suppressed, the right to organise for the future is weakened. The Hong Kong Alliance’s decades-long work to commemorate the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen protests is at the heart of this challenge.

Therefore, NAGKAISA calls on:

1. The Hong Kong authorities and relevant governments to drop all charges against Lee Cheuk Yan and to release him immediately and unconditionally.

2. Labour organisations, human rights institutions and governments around the world to monitor the trial closely, to apply diplomatic and moral pressure, and to stand together in solidarity.

3. Filipino unions and the broad labour movement in the Philippines to raise Lee’s case, to recognise its significance for workers’ rights globally, and to reaffirm that we are interconnected—when union freedom is undermined in one place, it is weakened everywhere.

We in NAGKAISA pledge:

• We will elevate Lee’s case in our national forums and international engagements.

• We will continue to stand in solidarity with colleagues in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region who are under threat.

• We will continue to defend the principle that there can be no labour justice without human rights.

For the freedom of Lee Cheuk Yan. For the dignity of workers everywhere.

Largest Labor Coalition Welcomes New Ombudsman with Caution, Calls for Transparency in Graft Probes; Mobilizes for Big Bonifacio Day Rally

2025-10-09T06:30:00.016+08:00

The NAGKAISA Labor Coalition, the largest labor coalition in the country, wishes good luck to and welcomes the new Ombudsman, DOJ Secretary Boying Remulla — and calls on him to make his mark as a full-time graft buster with fire in his belly and courage in his heart.

“We welcome the new Ombudsman, DOJ Secretary Boying Remulla — to act as full-time graft buster! We hope he brings not just fire in his belly, but courage in his heart to take on corruption head-on!” said Atty. Sonny Matula, President of the Chair of NAGKAISA and FFW President.

NAGKAISA Spokesperson and PM Chair Rene Magtubo added, “He might not be everyone’s ideal choice, but we recognize that he is a good lawyer who knows the ground and the terrain of the river and valleys of our political landscape. Panahon na para patuyuin ang baha ng korapsyon — to slay the draconian problem of corruption that has long drained our nation dry.”

NAGKAISA Convenor and SENTRO Deputy Secretary General Nice Coronacion expressed hope that Remulla’s appointment signals renewed vigor in the fight against corruption, emphasizing that this must be done with transparency and accountability.

“We pray he goes after every suspect of graft — no fear, no favor, no sacred cows. His victory over corruption will be the people’s gain, the workers’ hope, and the nation’s win — lalo na ng mga manggagawang tapat at mga mamamayang nagbabayad ng buwis nang walang ninanakaw,” Coronacion declared.

The coalition urged the Ombudsman and the newly created Indendent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to coordinate and to conduct investigations in the open, not in secrecy.

“The public deserves to know. Only germs are afraid of the searching light of scrutiny,” NAGKAISA Coronacion quipped. “Transparency is the best disinfectant against corruption.”

Workers Prepare for Bonifacio Day Rally vs Corruption

In line with this renewed call for clean governance, NAGKAISA announced it is mobilizing its local unions, federations, and workers’ associations across the country to join forces with church and civil society groups in a massive Bonifacio Day rally on November 30, 2025.

The rally will serve as a national day of action to demand accountability, transparency, and good governance — values embodied by the heroism of Andres Bonifacio, the worker-revolutionary.

“This Bonifacio Day, we fight corruption — the modern oppressor that steals not just public funds but also the dreams of Filipino workers and their families,” NAGKAISA Chair Matula concluded.

Anti-Corruption Groups Hold Mass and Rally at EDSA Shrine to Condemn Corruption in Flood Control Projects

2025-09-11T15:00:00.009+08:00

Tindig Pilipinas, NAGKAISA! Labor Coalition, Kalipunan ng Kilusang Masa, Simbahan at Komunidad Laban sa Katiwalian, and pro-democracy organizations, held a mass and rally today, September 11, at the historic EDSA Shrine to protest the massive corruption tied to anomalous flood control projects.

Billions of pesos meant to protect Filipinos from the devastating impact of floods had allegedly been lost to ghost projects, kickbacks, and collusion between politicians and contractors. For the coalition, this massive corruption was yet another betrayal of the Filipino people, especially the poor and vulnerable who bore the brunt of floods and climate disasters.

“We cannot stay silent while our money is being stolen, while our people drown in both floods and corruption,” said Kiko Aquino Dee, Convenor of Tindig Pilipinas.

“Every peso pocketed by these corrupt officials is a classroom not built, a health center left unfinished, and flood protection denied to our communities. That is why we demand: buuin na ang isang independent commission to investigate this massive corruption, and release the SALNs of all public officials involved. Transparency and accountability must begin now,” Dee added.

Judy Ann Chan Miranda, from NAGKAISA! Labor Coalition, underscored the moral urgency of collective action. “This is not just about corruption, it is about life and death, justice and injustice. The billions stolen from flood control projects could have saved lives and livelihoods. We gather at EDSA Shrine because we believe that, once again, the Filipino people must rise to demand truth, accountability, and reform.”

The coalition emphasized that the EDSA Shrine, a symbol of the people’s power against tyranny and abuse, was the rightful venue for citizens to once again declare: Enough is enough.

“Our call is simple: end corruption, hold the thieves accountable, and return the money to the people. Gawin nating kadiri muli ang kurapsyon,” Dee concluded.

On the Escalating Tensions in BARMM

2025-09-08T14:00:00.001+08:00

The Nagkaisa Labor Coalition expresses grave concern over worrisome reports of escalating tensions in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). These tensions erupted following the government’s move to effect a regime change in the region, triggering a breakdown in trust between parties to the peace process.

We mark a historic victory when both the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). Yet today, we are alarmed that the MILF has suspended cooperation with its full implementation, including decommissioning. This is a dangerous turn of events that threatens to undo decades of painstaking progress toward peace.

We experienced firsthand that in fratricidal wars, it is workers who fall first. And we understand that real peace is not sealed by wishful thinking—it is secured by the vigilance of government and the continuing participation of the people.

We therefore strongly urge the immediate convening of a joint meeting of the Peace Implementing Panels of the GRP and the MILF to resolve outstanding issues, rebuild confidence, and return the peace process to its rightful track.

We likewise call on Malacañang—particularly Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Anton Lagdameo and OPAPRU Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.—to abandon divide-and-rule tactics that only deepen mistrust and risk reigniting conflict in Mindanao. Such an approach undermines not just the peace process but also the stability of the entire country.

For the labor movement, peace is not optional—it is fundamental. War is anathema to our very DNA. In every conflict, it is always the working class—whether among civilians or combatants—who bear the heaviest burdens of violence, displacement, and loss.

It is therefore imperative that the peace process is preserved, strengthened, and advanced. The future of Mindanao, and indeed the whole nation, depends on it.

WORKERS TO FIGHT HARDER IN THE 20TH CONGRESS FOR A LEGISLATED WAGE HIKE: TULOY ANG LABAN PARA SA DAAN-DAANG UMENTO SA KONGRESO—HINDI BARYA-BARYANG UMENTO MULA SA BULOK NA REGIONAL WAGE BOARDS!

2025-06-25T11:00:00.001+08:00

The National Wage Coalition, composed of BMP, KMU, NAGKAISA!, and TUCP, vows to continue, with even greater resolve, the historic fight for the first-ever legislated wage hike in nearly four decades in the 20th Congress. Workers will not back down from the failure of the 19th Congress to convene the bicameral conference to reconcile and finalize an enrolled wage hike bill. Stronger and wiser, workers together with their families will continue to march forward in calling on every legislator in the House of Representatives and in the Senate to refile and pass the legislated wage hike bill as their first and foremost priority measure as they reaffirm their rhetoric of support and commitment for its swiftest passage in the 20th Congress. This is supported by the May 2025 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey that confirms what we have long known: 92% of Filipinos want the Senate to prioritize a minimum wage hike; 95% demand the same from the House. This is not only an overwhelming public clamor but a national consensus for wage justice.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro has reiterated that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. is not against wage hikes because these will benefit workers. But this Administration must walk the talk: certify the legislated wage hike as urgent and include it among the priority measures of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) because this is the raise that our nation and our people long demand and deserve—not the too little, too late, and certainly always unjust and unfair yearly wage increases from the regional wage boards. Their wage orders are a mere pittance insulting and condemning workers with not even enough to feed their families nutritious food, send their children to school, access medical help, or afford decent housing. And now, with oil prices surging due to global geopolitical conflicts, the cost of nearly every basic necessity is set to soar even higher. Standing for the legislated wage hike is not only good politics because it is good public service—it is a social, economic, and moral imperative.

For 36 long years, over five million minimum wage earners have been deprived of their Constitutional right to a living wage, entrusting their survival to the mercy of obsolete, failed, and broken regional wage boards which, by regularly handing out token scraps and crumbs to workers like spare change thrown to beggars, have inculcated helplessness and hopelessness among our people, conditioning them to accept by hook or by crook, sometimes even with gratefulness, any ‘barya-barya’ wage adjustment because it is better than nothing at all. Yet, both employers groups and the economic managers of our Government still perpetuate this systemic exploitation, serving the interest of overflowing greed, obscene profits, and an oppressive status quo designed primarily to favor the richest to be even richer, leaving workers not only with empty promises but empty plates. Their fake tales and scare tactics that the legislated wage hike will kill jobs, destroy businesses, and crash the economy have been heard, debunked, and buried not only by academics, economists, civil society, informal workers, and minimum wage earners but by the House and the Senate which, after years of exhaustive deliberations and debates, passed their respective wage hike bills.

With more time, and no more excuses, as well as greater unity and political action, workers across the nation will further organize and mobilize to reach out the countless unorganized workers paid even below the minimum, escalate the struggle with more allies and champions inside and outside of Congress, and carry out this movement of resistance and righteous anger: TULOY ANG LABAN. DAANG-DAANG DAGDAG-SAHOD ANG PANAWAGAN.HINDI BARYA-BARYA! HINDI SA SUSUNOD NA TAON—KUNDI NGAYON!

19th Congress and Malacañang Betrayed Workers

2025-06-12T12:56:00.008+08:00

The 19th Congress has ended in treachery against the working class. The proposed ₱100-₱200 legislated wage hike, which was just two steps away from becoming law—requiring only bicameral approval and the President’s signature—was deliberately set aside and sacrificed in favor of capitalist interests.

There is no one else to blame for this betrayal but Martin Romualdez and Chiz Escudero, the two leaders of the 19th Congress who were not just slow and indolent, but deceptive and fraudulent. However, workers must not forget that Martin and Chiz merely follow the orders of their master, Marcos Jr., whose stance on wage hikes is to leave it to the useless regional wage boards.

There is no more fitting occasion for outrage against the three highest officials of the Philippines than this very Independence Day. These three should symbolize the lack of freedom of workers and the poor from poverty and hunger. They should represent the continuing oppression of the people, despite the so-called "progress" boasted by their economic managers.

The 20th Congress will open with the same leadership —all traitors to workers, all captured by capital. There is no new hope under the institutions they lead.

But we will not stop fighting for a just wage, the right to collective bargaining and organizing and the advancement of more reforms, including political reforms. Because if the working class gives up in the face of hopelessness, those in power will only further enjoy their wealth and power as a ruling class.

We did not gain freedom just to be ruled by them forever. True freedom and independece will one day be in the hands of the working class.

INDIGNATION STATEMENT - NAGKAISA: Senate Majority Turns Impeachment into Monkey Business

2025-06-11T08:04:00.002+08:00

We strongly denounce the Senate majority’s decision to return the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte without dismissing or trying the case. Instead of letting her face the music, they gave her a backstage pass — shielding her from facing the music of public accountability and justice.

Through procedural acrobatics and legal technicalities, they threw a monkey wrench into the process — reducing a solemn constitutional duty into nothing more than political theater.

The Senate could have conditionally proceeded while allowing the House, in a pre-trial conference, to:

1. Certify that there was no violation of the one-year impeachment bar under Article XI, Section 3(5) of the Constitution;

2. Clarify the timeline and sequence of earlier complaints; and

3. Assert that impeachment — like electoral protest cases — may rightfully cross over from one Congress to another, as supported by both Philippine precedent in the electoral tribunals and U.S. and British practice and jurisprudence.

But instead of action, they chose abdication. The legal giants are gone — and in their place, small minds now dominate with alacrity, dragging the Senate’s reputation down and turning it into a global laughingstock.

This is not how justice is done — it’s how truth is buried.

Senate Must Proceed with VP Duterte Impeachment Trial — Not Short-Circuit It

2025-06-09T17:00:00.002+08:00

The Senate has been procrastinating far too long. It is time to forthwith proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, as the Constitution commands — not to toy with shortcuts.

Naimpeach na po si Sara ng House kaya dapat ang Senado ay agad-agad na lilitisin siya. Iyan po ang utos ng ating Saligang Batas — let her face the music na. Iyan po ang ibig sabihin ng “shall forthwith proceed to trial” sa Section 3(6), Article XI ng 1987 Constitution.

Hindi pwedeng sumayaw palayo sa public accountability. The public must now demand not whether to impeach — that step is done — but that the Senate proceed with the trial as mandated.

Yet Senator Tolentino now proposes to abbreviate the trial to just 19 days that ends on June 30. That is far too short.

NAGKAISA Labor Coalition disagrees with Tolentino’s proposal.

Past impeachments were never rushed. President Estrada’s trial took 22 trial days (cut short by a walkout and the EDSA 2 that followed). Chief Justice Corona’s trial took 44 trial days over several months. Rushing a trial today would deny due process to both the prosecution and defense, violate the Constitution, and undermine the Senate’s duty to conduct a fair and credible proceeding.

Moreover, NAGKAISA emphasizes that an impeachment trial can and should continue even if it crosses into the 20th Congress. The Senate exercises institutional and continuing jurisdiction over such trials.

U.S. experience — the very model upon which the Philippine impeachment system was patterned — clearly shows this principle. The framers of our 1987 Constitution adopted much of the U.S. Senate’s role and procedures in impeachment trials. In U.S. history:

• President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial in 2021 was conducted by a new Congress after the impeachment by the House in a prior term.

• President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial likewise carried over into a new congressional session.

• Judge West Humphreys’ impeachment trial in 1862 proceeded after a change in Congress.

• In British parliamentary history — another reference for our drafters — House of Lords impeachment trials routinely continued across new parliaments.

Thus, there is no constitutional obstacle to continuing the VP Duterte impeachment trial into the next Congress. What is needed is political will to uphold the Constitution and the people’s demand for accountability.

The public demands justice — not short cut and cover up.

Nagkaisa Hails Deferment of UHC Amendments: A Victory for Health, A Win for Workers!

2025-06-08T13:57:00.004+08:00

The Nagkaisa Labor Coalition warmly welcomes the deferment of the proposed amendments to the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act—a major win for healthcare justice and the millions of workers who depend on PhilHealth for life-saving services.

Under mounting pressure from healthcare professionals, workers, and civil society advocates, the Congressional bicameral conference committee backed down from advancing what would have been harmful and regressive changes to the UHC Law. In a stunning but welcome move, the committee decided to put the amendments on hold.

“This is a huge relief for everyone who believes in universal, accessible, and affordable healthcare,” said Nagkaisa Spokesperson Rene Magtubo.

“Workers contribute to PhilHealth, rely on it in times of need, and deserve to be heard before any law is rewritten. Congress must ensure that the UHC dream is not derailed by shortsighted proposals,” Magtubo added.

This groundswell of opposition follows massive protests over the blatant defunding of PhilHealth—when ₱60 billion was sequestered from its fund in 2024, and the agency was given zero budget in 2025. These attacks on public healthcare triggered outrage across sectors, deepening public mistrust and fueling calls to defend and strengthen—not sabotage—universal health care.

Nagkaisa emphasized that the deferment now gives the incoming 20th Congress a crucial opportunity to conduct broad, meaningful, and inclusive consultations—with healthcare workers, patients, civil society, and the working people who pay premiums and rely on PhilHealth to survive medical crises.

The decision came just in time: a massive rally organized by the UHC Collective and Nagkaisa was set to take place at the Senate tomorrow. The mobilization will continue—not in protest, but in vigilance and solidarity, to ensure that any future reforms strengthen, not gut, the vision of universal healthcare.

“This fight is not over. But today, we celebrate a crucial win. Congress heard the people. Now, we demand that they keep listening,” Magtubo concluded.

NAGKAISA Labor Coalition Calls on Congress to Defer the Proposed Amendments to the Universal Healthcare Law

2025-06-07T14:06:00.002+08:00

The NAGKAISA Labor Coalition calls on our Senators and Congressmen to defer the forthcoming bicameral conference committee meeting to reconcile Senate Bill 2620 and House Bill 11357, bills amending the Universal Healthcare (UHC) Act of 2019. The proposed amendments will have a grave effect on the financial sustainability of the country’s national health insurer, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and hinder PhilHealth from effectively carrying out its mandate of lowering out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures for all Filipinos.

Both HB 11357 and SB 2620 lower the premium contributions of PhilHealth direct contributors – from 5% to 3.25% for the Senate version and 3.5% for the House version. This will lead to PhilHealth’s deficit ballooning to P90 billion in 2025.

We acknowledge the intent of some legislators to give workers a reprieve from paying high premiums, but we cannot turn a blind eye to the long term impact of the reduction of premiums, which will ultimately affect the workers’ right to accessible and affordable health care.

Lowering PhilHealth’s premiums at this time is ill-advised, given the controversial defunding of PhilHealth in the 2025 National Budget. The Supreme Court decision on the petitions questioning the constitutionality of the transfer of P60 billion of PhilHealth funds to the National Treasury, for which NAGKAISA is a petitioner-intervenor, has yet to be released. This will likely have an impact on the implementation of Universal Healthcare; thus, it is prudent to wait for the Court’s decision before amending existing legislation.

NAGKAISA Labor Coalition calls on the House of Representatives and the Senate to give the Universal Healthcare Act a chance to be fully implemented and to do a thorough assessment of UHC rather than hastily passing a bill which puts the continued roll out and expansion of benefits for the Filipino people in peril. We call on our legislators to hold a multi-sectoral consultation including workers, who pay their premium contributions, rely on PhilHealth to fund life-saving healthcare, and are fervent in their hope that the dream of affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare for all will be realized.

Nagkaisa calls for presidential certification of pending wage hike bills in Congress

2025-05-02T10:00:00.008+08:00

Amid rising hunger and the prospect of higher inflation and prolonged lean months due to the impact of El Niño, the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition calls for Presidential certification of wage hike bills now pending before Congress.

The call was in response to President Bongbong Marcos's (PBBM) pre-Labor Day order for the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) to review wage orders across various regions.

"We are afraid the President was not truly informed by his cabinet on how the regional wage boards have effectively kept minimum wages below the poverty thresholds during the last 35 years. The current system under RTWPB is insufficient to meet the basic needs of Filipino workers," said Nagkaisa Chair Sonny Matula.

Matula explained that the regional wage boards cannot solve the structural problem of discrimination and the perpetuation of low wages in the regions that workers experienced in during the last 35 years. Thus, there is a critical need for national action through legislative fiat.

He added that while the President did not specifically mention a legislative wage increase in his speech yesterday, he can do so anytime as it is within his powers and discretion without undermining the independence of Congress, which is the concern of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

“We cannot continue repeating the same actions and expect different results. Therefore, we cannot tackle the persistent issues of low wages and discrimination against agricultural workers and those in rural areas using old strategies. This desperate situation, which has persisted for 35 years, calls for new approaches, specifically legislative action,” emphasized Matula.

The coalition reminded both the Executive and Legislative departments of government of the recent surveys underscoring the urgency of this issue. Results from a survey conducted from March 21 to 25 revealed a 1.6-point increase in hunger compared to findings from December 2023, with involuntary hunger reaching its highest in Metro Manila at 19 percent, followed by Balance Luzon at 15.3 percent, Visayas at 15 percent, and Mindanao at 8.7 percent.

"While RTWPBs can make wage adjustments moto propio or by wage petitions, we find it more imperative that our legislators act swiftly to pass the PHP 150 wage hike bill. This is not just an increase; it’s a necessary step towards economic recovery and stability for our nation's workforce," concluded Matula. ###

PH labor group seeks release of Hong Kong TU leaders and activists

2024-11-30T08:00:00.005+08:00

The NAGKAISA Labor Coalition condemns the mass sentencing of pro-democracy trade unionists and activists in Hong Kong.

Accordingly, the group calls for the immediate release of the 45 detainees after Hong Kong's national security-designated judges handed down their sentences last week for the crime of conspiracy to commit subversion under the National Security Law (NSL).

Among the convicted are trade unionists Carol Ng Man-yee, former chairperson of the now-defunct Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), and Winnie Yu Wai-ming, the founder and chairperson of the now-defunct Hospital Authority Employees Alliance (HAEA).

The two, together with other union leaders and activists, aimed at bringing workers’ voices into the Legislative Council by exercising their legitimate rights to political participation and freedom of expression in their fight for democracy and freedom. Defending these democratic rights, we maintain, should never be considered a criminal offense.

However, despite appeals from the international community, Carol has been sentenced to 4 years and 5 months, while Winnie will have to spend 6 years and 9 months in prison. Carol Ng and Winnie Yu had already spent 1,361 and 1,141 days in custody prior their sentence as their detention while on trial lasted roughly three years.

The UN Human Rights Committee has previously called on the Hong Kong government to repeal the NSL, citing its “overly broad interpretation and arbitrary application” undermined judicial independence and the right to a fair trial. This is further aggravated by the Hong Kong government’s strategy of silencing dissent highlighted by the prolonged pretrial detention and drawn-out trial.

Finally, NAGKAISA calls on the Hong Kong government to respect the freedom of association and expression enshrined in the International Human Rights and Labour Conventions, and stop using the National Security Law to stifle dissent, dismantle trade unions, and persecute activists.

Laban ng Manggagawa sa Harap ng Pambansang Kalamidad

2024-11-27T12:00:00.005+08:00

Mula sa nakaraang SONA hanggang sa Araw ni Gat Andres Bonifacio, o hanggang sa Kapaskuhan ay makikita kung nasaan ang buong atensyon ng pamahalaan. Wala sa mga hinaing ng manggagawa at mamamayan kundi nasa layuning panghalalan.

Natagpuan at nabusisi na ng Quadcom and P125-M confidential fund ni Sara Duterte, pero ang P150 wage hike sa LaborCom nasaan na? Araw-araw ay halos may public hearing ang QuadCom na binuo lamang noong Agosto. Ang huling hearing ng Labor Committee para sa legislated wage hike ay noon pang nakaraang Mayo. Habang sa Senado ay noong Pebrero pa naipasa ang P100 wage hike. Masaya na silang nakikitang ang manggagawa ay binabarat ng mga regional wage board.

Hindi na rin nagpatawag ang LaborCom ng Kamara ng iba pang pagdinig sa iba pang labor issues katulad ng anti-endo na security of tenure (SOT) bills. Nasaan ang Palasyo at Kongreso sa mga usaping ito? Nasaan si BBM at si Martin? Kung itutulak lamang ng dalawang lider na ito ang pagsasabatas ng wage hike at pagpapatigil sa endo, matutugunan ang mga kahilingan ng manggagawa habang hinabol ang pananagutan ng mga Duterte sa mga krimen at katiwaliang nagawa.

Kaya sa Araw ni Gat Andres Bonifacio ay magmamartsa ang mga kasapi ng Nagkaisa Labor Coalition mula Espana patungong Mendiola upang isigaw na harapin ng gobyerno ang mga kahilingan para sa pagsasabatas ng dagdag sahod na P150 pataas; pagpapatigil sa endo o kontraktwalisasyon sa pribado at pampublikong sektor; at pagwawakas sa karahasan sa kababaihan.

Nahaharap ang bansa sa pambansang kalamidad. Sunod-sunod na mga bagyo na pumipinsala sa buhay at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan. Dagdag-pabigat ito sa kahirapang nararanasan ng mga mangggagawa na kapos ang kita at sweldo at kung gayon, ay walang kakayahang paghandaan ang pinsalang dulot ng mga kalamidad.

Bunga ito ng ilang dekadang kapabayaan ng gobyerno na i-angat ang buhay ng mamamayan. Bunga ito ng pamamayapag ng dinastiya sa pulitika, at kawalang kalayaan ng mga Pilipino sa maraming bagay. Ang mga ito ay patuloy na sumasalamin sa paniniwala noon ni Bonifacio na walang kaginhawahan kung walang kalayaan.

Lahat ngayon ay halos dinadaan na lamang sa ayuda na ang mas pakay ay pampabida, kaysa pagsasabatas ng mga hakbang na pampagaan sa buhay ng manggagawa. Hindi agenda ang pagbabagong pangmatagalan ang pakinabang. Ito ay dahil lahat ng atensyon mga mga dinastiya ay para sa pansariling kapakanan. Ang kahirapan sa buhay ng manggagawa at mamamayan ay kabiguan ng ganitong uri ng panunungkulan.

Ang mga dinastiyang pulitikal, samakatwid, ay matuturing din na kalamidad. Ang dinastiya, samakatwid, ang dapat i-endo hindi ang manggagawang Pilipino!

State of the Nation’s Minimum Wages: A National Week of Action Calling for Across-the-Board Wage Increase

2024-07-15T10:42:00.004+08:00

With the average minimum wage across the regions equating to a mere fraction of the living wages, the National Wage Coalition (NWC), representing workers across various industries and sectors, has demanded and fought time and time again for a wage increase of at least ₱150. We have proposed House Bills with provisions for an across-the-board wage increase that shall benefit all workers. What has the government done? President Bongbong Marcos instructed the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB) to conduct a wage review. The NWC attended hearings to argue for the necessity of a significant increase, yet the RTWPB for the National Capital Region provided only a meager additional ₱35.00 for workers in the region. The Regional Wage Boards have once again proven their unreliability and irrelevance.

The National Wage Coalition demands President Bongbong Marcos to certify as urgent the proposed legislative House Bills for across-the-board wage increases, which will enable workers to beat the ever-turbulent nature of inflation and provide them with livable wages. Once certified, the House of Representatives must act with utmost urgency. His order addressed to the RTWPB to conduct a wage review has proven a failure. The only way forward is through the legislated bills languishing in the House of Representatives.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the House of Representatives’ Committee on Labor and Employment has failed to address the workers demand for wage increase with urgency and genuine concern. You need not wait for the President’s directive. You have a say in determining the economic futures of our workers. It is high time that you heed and address the calls of the united Filipino workers for livable wages: prioritize and expedite the passing of the proposed House Bills 7871, 514, and 7568.

The National Wage Coalition will keep ramping up the pressure as the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) approaches. Throughout this week, the Coalition’s constituent organizations and their respective locals and affiliates shall hold actions to call for the long-awaited across-the-board wage increase. The Coalition will push forward with our demands until all of our workers receive a much-needed and livable wage.

The Regional Wage Boards are Unreliable and Unjust!

2024-07-01T16:00:00.006+08:00

The National Wage Coalition’s Statement on the Recently Issued Wage Increase

The new ₱35.00 wage increase for NCR workers issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board - National Capital Region office (RTWPB-NCR) is a disgrace. After several legislative proposals for an across-the-board wage increase, numerous actions held on the streets, and hearings with the labor sector — all with the intent to call and demand for a fair wage increase to adjust for inflation and the ever-changing value of our salaries, the RTWPB’s increase is nothing short of a heartless disregard for the economic crises faced by our workers and families.

The National Wage Coalition (NWC), which represents workers across various sectors and industries, has demanded for a wage increase no less than ₱150. Our minimum wages do not amount to liveable wages. We have presented our arguments based on factual and credible research. And yet our efforts amount to a low increase. The ₱35 increase does not even amount to measly change; it is not even sufficient for a kilo of rice. It makes up for only 30% of the lost value of wages in the NCR, which reached ₱100 according to the Consumer Price Index of May 2024. The NWC has stated before that the RTWPB-NCR has had 35 years’ worth of failure to issue fair and livable wage increases. This recent increase is no failure. It is the deliberate demonstration of the Board’s lack of empathy towards the economic needs of the working class.

With the RTWPB-NCR showing once again their unreliability and heartlessness, the National Wage Coalition demands Congress to address our calls accordingly. In light of this disrespectful and disgusting ₱35 increase by the RTWPB, Congress and the House of Representatives’ Committee on Labor must pass our proposed bills for an across-the-board increase of at least ₱150. Additionally, they must recognize the uselessness and irrelevance of the RTWPB-NCR and conduct a congressional review of our wage fixing policies under RA 6727. It is clear that such policies are insufficient and unreflective of our current economic needs. The RTWPB refuses to meet our demands, thus their existence must be challenged, questioned, and ultimately discontinued.

The National Wage Coalition urges the greater Philippine labor movement and all Filipino workers to press on with the fight for higher and fairer wages. We must act in solidarity in addressing Congress, so that they may truly understand the needs of the working class. You know the worth of your labor and more importantly, the value of your personal life and needs. And while this laughable ₱35 increase may be a setback, so long as we persevere, the fight for a higher wage continues.

Fight for freedom far from over, labor groups say

2024-06-13T09:01:00.020+08:00

MANILA, Philippines — As the country celebrated Independence Day on Wednesday, a labor federation called on the Marcos administration to address critical issues, emphasizing the urgent need for freedom of association, job security against contractualization, and freedom from poverty wages.

According to the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, the “spirit of freedom” that the country’s heroes fought for was not only from colonial bondage but also from poverty, ignorance and powerlessness.

“As we mark our country’s independence, let us not forget the freedom of our workers to desire for a better life and more certain future. The coalition stands for its calls for justice and equality for all workers. It’s time that the government listen to these calls and enforce meaningful reforms that mirror the true spirit of freedom,” the group said in a statement.

‘Contractualization’

Nagkaisa chair and Federation of Free Workers president Sonny Matula said that despite having the constitutional guarantee of the right to form unions, many workers in the country find themselves unable to organize.

“Other than being killed or Red-tagged, workers are not recognized as employees of the firms or enterprises they serve. Instead, they are supplied by cooperatives or manpower agencies, or are misclassified as independent contractors,” he said.

“All these strategies employed to avoid regularization are commonly called ‘contractualization.’ This systemic avoidance strips workers of their rightful benefits and job security,” Matula added.

The labor leader said many of the country’s workers are also subjected to low pay, which are “strategically kept low” by pegging them to the regional wage boards’ decisions for 35 years now.

“These boards often set wages that do not rise above the poverty threshold, ensuring that workers remain chained to poverty wages,” he added.

Higher daily pay

Matula called on the government to act decisively on the plight of workers, saying “Now we need to unshackle our workers from poverty by giving them living wages. Start with a nationwide P150 daily wage hike. Allow workers to organize unions and ensure their right to security of tenure.”

Even AGRI party list Rep. Wilbert Lee said that Filipinos’ struggle for freedom was far from over.

“While we celebrate the triumph forged by our heroes who fought and liberated us from foreign invaders, we must free Filipinos from perennial problems and sufferings,” he said in a statement.

He expressed hope that every Filipino would soon know true freedom from poverty, high cost of goods and services, corruption, injustice and social discrimination. - By: Jeannette I. Andrade, Jerome Aning - @inquirerdotnet

Labor groups press P150 wage hike

2024-05-01T09:56:00.003+08:00

Nagkaisa chairman and Federation of Free Workers president Sonny Matula

ORGANIZED labor groups will march today, Labor Day, to Morayta Street in Manila to dramatize their call for a P150 legislated wage increase and a dialogue with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The labor groups, composed of trade union centers, labor federations and workers' organizations in both the private and public sectors, will march under the National Wage Coalition (NWC) banner.

Leading them are the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) and Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (Nagkaisa).

"Passing the P150 wage recovery increase is only the first yet pivotal step that the Philippines should take to actualize living wages embodied in proposed legislation for a P750 daily wage increase for private sector workers and a new Salary Standardization Law (SSL) anchored on the P33,000 monthly minimum wage for public sector workers," the NWC said in a statement.

Officials from the Department of Labor and Employment will be at a meeting with the labor representatives in Malacañang, but there is no guarantee that the President will join them.

The Palace program will be from 8 a.m. to noon. The NWC said they will also hold a program in Morayta early in the morning of May 1.

The NWC stressed the need for a dialogue with the President, which is traditionally done every Labor Day celebration.

Aside from the wage hike, the labor groups want to discuss challenges regarding job security due to rampant contracting practices and the need for enhanced freedom of association.

"The lack of dialogue with the President has been a concerning pattern that can no longer be overlooked," said Sonny Matula, Nagkaisa chairman and Federation of Free Workers president. "As we observe Labor Day, it is paramount that these significant concerns are addressed directly with President Marcos to ensure the effective representation and advancement of workers' rights and welfare."

The NWC also called on Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma to facilitate a meeting with the President. - By William B. Depasupil

NATIONAL WAGE COALITION LABOR DAY MOBILIZATION: DAGDAG SAHOD ISABATAS! 150 PATAAS!

2024-04-30T20:00:00.010+08:00

On Wednesday, 01 May 2024—Labor Day—thousands of workers from various Philippine trade union centers, labor federations, and workers' organizations will march together in solidarity to Morayta under the banner of the National Wage Coalition to send a strong message to Batasan and Malacañang: DAGDAG SAHOD ISABATAS! PHP 150 PATAAS!

Passing the ₱150 wage recovery increase is only the first yet pivotal step that the Philippines should take to actualize living wages embodied in proposed legislation for a ₱750 daily wage increase for private sector workers and a new Salary Standardization Law (SSL) anchored on the ₱33,000 monthly minimum wage for public sector workers.

Various trade union centers, labor federations, and workers’ organizations in both the private and public sector led by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), and Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (Nagkaisa!) united in solidarity as the NATIONAL WAGE COALITION.

SAMA-SAMA TAYONG MAGMARTSA SA MAYO UNO!

SAMA-SAMA NATING ITAAS ANG SAHOD MO!

#labordayph2024

#MayoUno2024

NAGKAISA Labor Coalition Welcomes the Surfacing of Two Activists

2024-03-28T13:00:00.001+08:00

In an inspiring turn of events on Holy Thursday, the NAGKAISA Labor Coalition expresses profound relief and joy over the release of labor and environmental activists Francisco "Eco" Dangla and Axielle "Jak" Tiong.

The unexpected surfacing of Eco and Jak, who had been previously reported as abducted under alarming circumstances, serves not only as a beacon of hope for the advocacy community but also as a poignant reminder of the state's indispensable obligation to protect the life and liberty of every citizen, as guaranteed by our Constitution.

Although details regarding their return to safety remain limited, the circulation of an image showing the two activists conversing with Archbishop Socrates Villegas symbolizes their current safety under the aegis of the Church. This positive outcome, however, leaves many unanswered questions, thereby underscoring the urgency for a transparent and exhaustive inquiry into their abduction and the broader spectrum of assaults on activists.

The NAGKAISA Labor Coalition wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to all individuals, the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, and organizations that have stood in solidarity for the cause of Eco and Jak's freedom and safety.

This incident starkly illuminates the formidable challenges that labor and environmental activists continue to confront, frequently risking their personal safety. It propels us towards a renewed commitment to upholding trade union and human rights and safeguarding those who courageously advocate for truth and justice.

Nagkaisa Advocates for Wage Hike, Urging Prioritization of Living Wage; Questions NEDA's Stance

2024-02-24T17:20:00.004+08:00

As the nation commemorates the 38th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition stands resolute in its call for a PHP100 wage increase, aligning with the constitutional mandate for a living wage, and challenging the National Economic and Development Authority's (NEDA) cautious stance.

Nagkaisa asserts the necessity of a wage hike in consonance with the constitutional provision for a living wage, despite NEDA's concerns regarding potential inflationary pressures and impacts on economic growth.

Moreover, Nagkaisa raises pertinent questions about NEDA's advocacy for charter change (Cha-Cha) as a mechanism to enhance competitiveness by removing perceived "unnecessary" restrictions. This stance diverges from the immediate needs of Filipino workers and undermines the urgency of addressing prevailing economic disparities.

Nagkaisa emphasizes the distraction posed by the ongoing debate on charter change, underscoring the imperative for tangible actions to alleviate the challenges faced by the labor force.

While NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan champions Cha-Cha as a strategy to bolster competitiveness, Nagkaisa notes the absence of such reforms in NEDA's Philippine Development Plan (PDP), which Balisacan spearheaded. Furthermore, Nagkaisa expresses disappointment in NEDA's alignment with employer groups like ECOP and PCCI in consistently opposing wage hike proposals.

This discrepancy prompts scrutiny into the prioritization of policies with potential long-term implications over immediate measures like wage increases, which directly impact the quality of life for millions of Filipinos.

Drawing attention to the successful PHP25 wage increase in 1989 and its positive economic ramifications, Nagkaisa underscores the compatibility of substantial wage hikes with economic growth and stability.

Additionally, Nagkaisa highlights the necessity for equitable wage adjustments across all regions, emphasizing the Senate-approved PHP100 increase as a step forward but insufficient in meeting the living wage requirements for Filipino families.

Nagkaisa reiterates its concern regarding NEDA's endorsement of Cha-Cha, urging a focus on upholding the 1987 Constitution's mandate for social justice and living wages.

Labor coalition pushes uniform national wage increase system

2024-02-11T22:00:00.001+08:00

THE COUNTRY’S largest labor coalition has urged Congress to review the regional wage-setting mechanism as the Senate is set to deliberate on a bill seeking a P100 daily minimum wage increase for private sector workers.

In a statement on Sunday, Nagkaisa said many Filipino workers still live on “poverty wages” and cited the need for a uniform and single minimum wage nationwide.

“This Senate action renews hope among workers and their unions for a standardized wage increase across the country, paving the way for the potential establishment of a singular national minimum wage in the coming days,” the labor coalition said. “It highlights a pivotal concern within our present economic structure.”

Under Senate Bill No. 2534, the Wage Increase Act of 2023, workers in the private sector whether agricultural or non-agricultural would gain a P100 increase in their daily pay to ensure a “living wage” for the Filipino workforce.

Several senators sponsored the measure during a plenary session on Feb. 7, including Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, saying it would boost worker productivity.

Labor groups have said that the regional wage-setting system is failing the workers since recent hikes have not helped workers cope with the rising costs of basic goods.

“The present minimum wage law has created poverty wages for many workers,” Nagkaisa said. “All the minimum wages around the country are below the poverty threshold for a family of five.”

A Filipino family of five would need at least P13,797 a month or P460 a day to meet their basic needs, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECoP) has said a legislated wage hike should also consider workers in less formal employment, noting that private sector workers only comprise 16% of the labor force.

On June 29, the National Capital Region’s RTWB approved a P40 increase in the daily minimum wage, bringing the daily minimum wage to P610 a day from P570 for those in non-agriculture sectors.

This is much lower than what the Unity for Wage Increase Now’s petition sought, a P570 increase that would bring Metro Manila’s daily minimum wage to P1,100. - By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter

Senate’s chacha dance unnecessary, out of step – Nagkaisa!

2024-01-23T16:00:00.008+08:00

Leading the charter change (chacha) dance this time is totally unnecessary and out of step for the Senate, the Nagkaisa! Labor Coalition declared in a statement, a week after Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri himself led the Senate majority in the filing of Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 (RBH 6) which aims to amend the economic provision of the 1987 Constitution through a Constituent Assembly (ConAss).

Protesting outside the Senate gates on Tuesday, Nagkaisa! members called on Zubiri to redirect his focus to the pressing demands of workers, including a wage hike, an end to labor contractualization (endo), and employment guarantees to address the chronic jobs crisis in the country. Their rallying cry: "Sahod itaas, Chacha i-atras!"

Josua Mata, Convenor of Nakakaisa! and Secretary-General of Sentro ng Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), expressed disappointment, stating, "SP Zubiri made significant promises to workers last year, vowing to enact a P150 across-the-board wage hike. Now, it seems he's shifting focus to cha-cha, an agenda unrelated to labor concerns."

Mata cautioned against a dubiously assembled ConAss, suggesting it could veer off course, impacting not only the economic provisions but also the political structures, catering to trapos’ (traditional politician) perpetual lust for power.

Addressing the diversionary tactics, Judy Miranda, Nagkaisa Women Committee Head and Partido Manggagawa (PM) Secretary-General, accused cha-cha proponents of diverting attention, energy, and resources from issues directly affecting 99% of Filipinos. She emphasized the urgency of prioritizing the P150 wage hike bill and creating more jobs, especially for women, over alien bids to acquire 100% land ownership and control of Philippine businesses.

Citing survey results from Pulse Asia and OCTA, Miranda underscored that over two-thirds of Filipinos are more concerned about inflation, wage hikes, and job creation than constitutional changes. She also criticized politicians for denying their complicity in maintaining poverty under a capitalist system that concentrates 90% of national wealth in the hands of the 0.1%.

Nagkaisa Chair and Federation of Free Workers (FFW) President Sonny Matula reiterated the call he made earlier that the government rather address workers' core concerns: higher wages, job security, and the freedom to organize for collective bargaining. He criticized the Charter change initiative for diverting attention and resources away from these pressing issues.

Nagkaisa! pledged to actively oppose moves to revise the Constitution, announcing plans to collaborate with broader sectors to build an anti-cha-cha movement. The group aims to present workers' agendas as a compelling counter-narrative against pro-alien and pro-dynasty arguments.

Strong Endorsement from the Big Labor Coalition for CHR Budget Increase, P10M for Compensation for fallen TU leaders

2023-09-07T10:00:00.001+08:00

The NAGKAISA Labor Coalition, a united alliance championing workers' rights and well-being, passionately supports the initiative to bolster the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) budget for 2024.

Our backing also extends to ensuring fair compensation for the 69 trade union leaders and organizers who tragically lost their lives, as reported during the last ILO-High Level Mission in January 2023. In a conversation with Senator Risa Hontiveros, NAGKAISA is proposing at least P10M for victims of TU killings to be given to their heirs and primary beneficiaries.

In 2022, CHR allocated P16 million in financial assistance, aiding a substantial 805 victims. As of the first half of 2023, P3.36 million has already been disbursed to assist 232 victims. Senators Risa Hontiveros and Raffy Tulfo in the upper chamber and Muntinlupa City Representative Jaime Fresnedi and Minority Floor Leader Edcel Lagman Sr of Albay in the House of Representatives lend their unwavering support to restoring CHR's original proposed budget for financial assistance.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution primarily gave CHR the mandate to protect and promote the rights and dignity of every human being in the country. Compensation for victims is an integral part of its broad task. Throughout the last ILO-HLTM and numerous engagements with DOLE, the NAGKAISA Labor Coalition did not only call for respect for TU and human rights but also has persistently called for investigations and accountability for those responsible for the killings of TU leaders/organizers, as well as other violations of freedom of association, including compensation for victims or their beneficiaries.

We earnestly call upon legislators and all concerned parties in the Marcos administration to heed the call for increased funding for the CHR and the rightful compensation for labor union leaders and organizers who are victims of violence.