"Women workers seek protection and recognition of rights"

On the celebration of the international working women's day, Kilusang Mayo Uno labor center sought more protection for women workers. "First of all we demand for significant wage adjustments, not just Cost of Living Allowances (COLA)."

Labor leader Nenita Gonzaga said that the latest report released by the International Labor Organization (ILO) which stated that female workers are working harder but earning less than their male counterparts reflect current working conditions of women workers in the country.

"Women workers suffer doubly as they contend with low wages, unsecured jobs, discrimination in the work place and high prices of commodities and utilities. From the household to workplaces, Filipino women are oppressed. It is such a shame that we have a woman President who is not at all concerned with the welfare and interests of her fellow Filipinas. Itinatakwil ng mga kababaihan si Gloria Arroyo. Kaaway at hindi kabaro ang turing ng mga manggagawang kababaihan sa kanya."

Gonzaga also lashed at the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) for saying that a family of five can survive with P266 per day, with only P140 budget allotment for foodstuff. "We challenge all NSCB officials, Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Arturo Brion and even Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to try to live for a day with only P266. With the steadily rising prices of goods, EVAT and depreciating value of the peso, this amount is far from enough."

"This study by the NSCB is absolutely false and deceiving. It aims to discredit and belittle the urgent need for wage hikes and the workers' demand for P125 across-the-board wage hike," Gonzaga said.

The labor leader stressed that the daily cost of living is now pegged at more than P650 per day for a family of six. The family living wage is computed at P744 per day. "Even if there are two breadwinners in a family and they work for 8-10 hours in factories and offices, their combined earnings are not enough for all the needs of their family. Aside from the existing low wage levels in the country, women workers do not receive appropriate incentives and benefits. Current labor standards discourage them from joining unions and organizing their ranks to fight for their just demands as members of the work force."

Gonzaga said that candidates must consider the voting capacity of women. "We are seeking for platforms that will uplift the living condition of Filipinas. Unfortunately, due to the absence of sufficient jobs, many women are forced to work abroad as domestic helpers, caregivers, nurses and entertainers. Maraming Filipina ang napapahamak, napapariwara at nasisira ang pamilya dahil sa pang-aabuso sa kanila sa ibang bansa bilang mga OFW. Ito ang kailangang tugunan ng gobyerno at igigiit ng mga kababaihan ang kabuhayan at karapatan sa mga kandidato sa halalan." Gonzaga concluded.