14forjusticeWhy does the the Arroyo administration remain indifferent to the plight of Filipino workers? Majority of them continue to suffer from the ill-effects of a mismanaged economy, yet Malacanang seems more concerned in defending its midnight appointments involving individuals close to the President.

Labor day will be another sad day for the Filipino worker. As a former Labor Secretary in the Cory Aquino Administration, I am alarmed at our current situation where millions of workers remain underemployed or are forced to find jobs in others countries because of the lack of employment opportunities at home.  Traditionally, government grants wage benefits or outight salary hikes to workers during Labor Day. This year, they’ll get nothing. Apparently, one needs a special relationship with the first couple to improve their lot in life, similar to the cases of  Arroyo’s manicurist, Anita Carpon, recently appointed to the PAG-IBIG Housing Fund Board, and her gardener, Armando Macapagal, who is now Luneta Park deputy administrator.

Unemployment and underemployment continue to be a huge problems here with breadwinners unable to make both ends meet. In my opinion, this is connected to the general lack of investment confidence in the government due to its dismal record in fighting graft and corruption, as well as persistent talks that oligarchs close to the First Couple are given preferential treatment. What we need now is to elect a President whom investors, both local and foreign, can trust will provide good governance and a level playing field for business. Without investor confidence, no job opportunities can be created. And without local job opportunities, Filipinos will continue to go abroad.

This is perhaps the greatest cost of the OFW era: the separation of millions of family members. Modern Filipino society is littered with sad stories of broken homes. Young children practically grow up without their fathers and/or mothers because circumstances force them to leave.

Eliminating this modern tragedy and its root causes are central to the the Liberal Party’s platform.

Under an LP administration led by Noynoy Aquino, the government will immediately implement comprehensive reforms to jumpstart the economy and generate new jobs for all Filipinos. Currently, employment growth is concentrated in the business process outsourcing sector which benefits primarily young and educated professionals. Employment generation initiatives must be expanded to include new opportunities for blue collar wage earners who represent the bulk of our workforce.