By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
The recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed a disheartening truth: 69 percent of adult Filipinos struggle to find employment. Yet, in the face of adversity, more than half of the respondents remain hopeful of landing a job in the next 12 months.
There’s the reflection of your typical Pinoy — ever the optimist, defying the harsh reality of an arduous job market. But these hopeful sentiments also open Filipinos to abuse by this administration. We have a president who continues to speak about labor and employment from behind the view of rose-tinted glasses to excuse himself from taking decisive action to remedy the situation.
It’s time for government leaders to wake up from their slumber and address the plight of the jobless, the underemployed, and the underpaid. The Trade Union Congress demands action — a shift from precarious to permanent, decent jobs.
After all, that’s Marcos Junior’s promise during the campaign, or has he forgotten?
Forget Kuwait
President Junior has not exactly stepped up as the champion of labor and workers’ rights since he landed the top seat in Malacanang. That’s evident even in his dealing with the plight of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the lands of hot sand and heinous crimes.
Recently, when Kuwait slapped a visa ban on Filipino workers, BBM delicately tip-toed around the issue and seemed to “turn the other cheek,” afraid to “burn any bridges,” that’s what he said.
At least in Congress, we have Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas, who has had enough of this diplomatic circus, and she’s not afraid to say it. She boldly declares that Kuwait’s little power play is a cheap attempt to squeeze the Philippine government into lifting the deployment ban on first-time household workers.
And why should Manila do that, after what happened to OFW Jullebee Ranara whose charred remains, courtesy of her employer’s son, were found dumped in the desert, or Joan Demafelis whose body was stuffed in a freezer in a Kuwait City apartment unit in 2018?
The Philippine government’s action was crucial in protecting our OFWs from such heinous crimes. Marcos Junior should keep that in mind and refrain from romanticizing hopes of sweeter days between Kuwait and Manila.
Drug-poisoned barangays
Gen. Benjamin Acorda has announced that they in the Philippine National Police (PNP) are monitoring around 430 barangay officials allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade. It sounds like the PNP Chief has made a proud discovery or that monitoring these crooked barangay leaders is already an achievement worthy of praise.
In truth, this is frustrating! In a few months, the barangay elections will roll out.
Let’s give Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr.’s suggestion to have those running for election undergo a mandatory drug test some serious thought and consideration.
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