I am always interested in the narratives of factory workers, those in public transport, as well as fisherfolk and farm workers who till the land. What we have today is owed to workers who are overworked yet continue to accept low wages without complaint.
If there is exploitation, oppression, abuse, or any form of injustice, it is experienced most by workers in factories, farms, and fishing communities. They often receive minimum wages. With limited education, many settle for less. Their only capital is their youth and physical strength, as they have no financial capital.
To mark Labor Day on May 1, I salute all workers. For me, they are real heroes because they persevere and help sustain our ailing economy.
I have observed that industrial and agricultural workers frequently experience mistreatment and exploitation by capitalists at various levels. In some cases, conflicts during collective bargaining have led to tragic fatalities.
Some workers try to organize unions, but these efforts are often crushed early by employers who fear disruptions to factory operations or farm activities.
Worker exploitation began when rural agricultural laborers from the barrios were recruited into urban factories. Since farm wages were much lower than those in factories, many were drawn to leave the land.
These recruited farm workers went on to work in mining companies, industrial factories, and multinational corporations in the early 1900s. They lived in poor and unsanitary conditions in urban areas. They were once called “squatters,” now referred to as informal settlers. This situation persists today, with many now identified as part of the “urban poor.”
For more than a century, Filipino workers have remained poor and unhealthy. Many lack sufficient insurance to cover medical needs. They cannot afford vacations, dine in better restaurants, or send all their children to good universities. In times of crisis, they have little support beyond themselves.
In the past, factory work was dominated by Filipino men. Today, women also work alongside their husbands, and in some cases, even their children contribute to labor.
More often than not, the struggles of workers go unheard and are misunderstood by those who live more comfortable lives.
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels encouraged workers of the world to unite to end capitalism because, during their time, workers faced severe oppression. From low wages and lack of benefits to poor working and living conditions, workers were treated unfairly.
In the Philippines, many of these conditions persist. Workers resort to strikes to demand higher wages. Some factories choose to close rather than meet workers’ demands, while others declare bankruptcy to avoid legal obligations.
Today, hundreds of thousands of Filipino workers face difficult conditions due to the government’s contractualization policy. This policy is seen as unfavorable to workers, while benefiting capitalists.
Although the national government allows such policies to persist, legislators in Congress and the Senate appear to accept the difficult conditions faced by workers, despite their contributions throughout their working lives.
The condition of workers reflects the state of our society. It is not something we can take pride in, especially when compared to neighboring countries like Vietnam.
The continued poverty of workers points to the failure of our “democratic” system. In contrast, Vietnam has been cited as an example where government efforts have improved the condition of its people and reduced corruption.
Happy Labor Day.
