Labor Day Celebration

Today, May 1 2009, is the celebration of International Worker's Day or commonly known as Labor day in the Philippines (a legal holiday and it means double pay!).

The Philippines celebration of this day always reminds me of people protesting on the streets. A lot of labor union like Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), etc. staged rallies all over the country.

This year's protest is nothing new from the previous years. They are asking, or should I say "demanding," the same thing, a P125 across the board wage increase for workers nationwide.

With the economic crisis that the country, and the whole world, is experiencing right now, the call for this kind of additional benefits is not timely. I know that it is hard for minimum wage earners to budget their salary but with the problem that all companies are experiencing, the additional salary can't be granted. Pushing this demand will just result to more problems like less working hours or less jobs, etc.

While reading the news online at Inquirer.net, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) National Capital Region chairman Roy Velez said “House, lot, jobs – these should be given to us by the government. With the present administration, we have long demanded for a P125 wage increase across the board nationwide but our calls have fallen on deaf ears. Weak job policies of the government is allowing continuous poverty and unemployment in the country,” He also said that instead of providing band-aid solutions such as the P330 billion stimulus package, “Jobapalooza” job fairs, and intensified labor-export policy, the government should help secure its workers by strengthening support for homegrown industries and giving adequate benefits and security policies.

He is asking for a house, lot and job from the goverment?!?! Is he insane?! I'm really pissed off with people like him. He keeps on asking things from the goverment when he himself is not doing anything to get a job. How can he expect a job when he is protesting in the streets, waiting for help from the government. He should stop whining and start looking for a job for his family.

A lot of government agencies, as well as private companies, are doing their part to help the Filipino people to have a job. Senator Chiz Escudero proposed an eight-point package for displaced workers in Senate.

I have a job right now but I'm honestly not happy. I want to complain but instead, I thank God that he still provides food for me and my family. We all should stop whining and thank God for all the things He provides us. We should stop complaining and be happy with what he have.