Hard work, part time work, whatsoever work– that we celebrate, honor and recognize each and every 1st of May just hits different this year. It always hits differently as time goes by, of course, but maybe the irony is just overwhelming.
At this height of inflation, and many other struggles, our government has managed to give our workers– our very own jeepney drivers in particular, a more than what headache can give as a gift. If not as a gift, what else should we call it? What do you call what someone gives you for celebration and honor?
May 1, 2024 is the date– when and where labor and laborers instead of feeling valued, felt trampled. Because the very same day, jeepney consolidation deadline through nixing of jeepneys not consolidated yet live with their livelihoods secured– on the roads was carried out by the administration.
Photo by D Films/Facebook
Workers around the world should never be treated like what our jeepney drivers are being treated. May they come and are in any field, they should be dignified for their work and for them being the worker not only for their families but also for the country and economy. They deliver, make, design, create, and do food on our tables, chairs that we sit on, pencils that we write with, even knowledge that we may be thinking of, etc… tirelessly, day by day.
Overseas Filipino Workers or popularly recognized as OFW proves from the perspective of our nation and that everywhere, there is labor and everyday, laborers work. For us all. There is sacrifice and they do sacrifice, and that’s one of the things we recognize them for– all the time, sweat, tears, and blood that they put into their work to show how dedicated they are.
May it be necessity, love, money, passion, or other influence people were put by to their jobs– there is no need for someone to explain or justify what they’re doing. After all, it’s what we consider work, it’s them who we consider workers. Salary increase is one of the things workers in the Philippines, our country– are still fighting for, even a-one hundred wage hike gets a hard time in the process of being achieved.
Photos by D Films/Facebook
In addition to this, the regional/provincial salary rates don’t help or do any good. Crucial times make all places prone and vulnerable to inflation, so do salaries. Going abroad really makes it as a top choice of many fresh graduate Filipinos, to survive, or at least get reimbursed for all the years that they’re studying.
Despite the many reasons: unpleasant workplace, toxic environment, low salary, and too out-of-touch standard– many still try, and choose to stay. Yet they may seem to not be valued as they should be with all the setbacks that they face and are still facing, even with the massive contractualization and lack of security of tenure; regularization.
Even commuting is said to be considered work, with the conditions of public transportation that we have– workers that use it tend to go to work exhausted and ride it off to go home also exhausted, to note that at this time, and at this temperature, that is really something concerning.
That’s why, I hope– that for all the other next labor day, we will really feel that it is a day of and for our workers. Whenever and wherever they could be working at, we should love, honor, protect and provide what they all deserve at all times a livable livelihood– those that let them be them and still have time for themselves for their families, friends, interests, and other important matters that are part of human life and a person.
E-thenks 
Leave a comment