Militant labor groups slam gov’t on high unemployment rate

CEBU, Philippines - The militant labor group, Partido ng Manggagawa, said that lack of agro-industrial policy and high power rates are reasons behind the country’s chronic unemployment problem.

PM-Cebu spokesperson Dennis Derige said that the government cannot rely on micro enterprises and overseas work to absorb the growing population of the young and active labor force.

He further said that based on government data, 99 percent of the registered businesses in the country are considered micro enterprises, employing not more than 10 people.

The Philippines has the highest unemployment rate among ASEAN nations based on a study released by the International Labor Organization.

Derige, in a statement, said that the Aquino administration has been hiding its deficits through the ‘blame-game’ politics. It is therefore high time to hear the President laying down his final strategy in fighting poverty during his last two remaining years in office.

“This government could have declared the indisputable fact that this country cannot resolve its chronic unemployment problem without building its agro-industrial capacity,” said Derige.

During the May 1 rally, PM is calling the Aquino administration for the establishment of an agro-industrial policy that will strengthen local agriculture and industry as the basis for the robust growth of decent jobs that will provide regular work and living wages.

“Workers’ demand for an agro-industrial policy has fallen on deaf ears since administration finance and economic officials argue dogmatically that the state’s only economic role is to encourage workers and the poor to become micro entrepreneurs,” Derige said.

PM likewise lambasted the Aquino administration for the worsening inequality in the country despite consistent economic growth as measured in GDP increase.

“While the administration pays lip service to inclusive growth, unemployment and underemployment remains unchanged because of cheap labor policy, regulations allowing rampant contractualization, labor repression, and the preference to foreign investments and public-private partnership,” Derige added.  (FREEMAN)