John Vincent H.

Manuel
Theology 4
AC 201
60004

REFLECTION PAPER: LABORERS IN THE PHILIPPINES

FINDINGS: ISSUES AND PROBLEMS OF LABORERS

i. LOW WAGES IN THE PHILIPPINES

According to data provided by e-commerce platform Picodi, the average wage in the
Philippines is among the lowest in the world as of August 2020. The current Metro
Manila minimum wage is P537 per day or P10,740 per month with a five-day workweek.
The minimum wage varies by location, although it is often lower in other parts of the
country. Workers have long complained about the minimum wage, which they claim is
insufficient to support a family. Several organizations have already urged the
government to raise the minimum wage, which was last raised in 2018 with a P25
increase.

ii. TRAFFIC CONGESTION

Traffic is one of the most serious issues that our country is now facing, particularly in
Metro Manila, where the business industry is concentrated. "Based on a worldwide
study undertaken by Waze, a GPS-based navigation program, Metro Manila was ranked
as having the "worst traffic on Earth." According to the report, Manila is the city with the
"worst traffic on Earth. (Tan L., 2015).
According to the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, the traffic congestion
presently afflicting Metro Manila's streets is playing havoc on workers' productivity and
corporate competitiveness (ECOP). Traffic is extremely congested in Metro Manila,
particularly on weekdays when many commuters, primarily employees of both the public
and private sectors, are affected, but also companies. According to a research
conducted by Hartgen, Fields, Layzell, and San Jose (2014), around 25% of employers
and 38% of major employers report that managers frequently complain about traffic,
particularly as it relates to workers' late arrival to work.
According to the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, traffic is impacting the
productivity and industry competition for more than 15 million workers. The government
estimates that the traffic congestion in Manila costs an estimated $3 billion annually in
lost productivity, illness, wasted fuel, and vehicle maintenance. Public transport, delivery
trucks, and shuttle services are also affected by the traffic situation. Drivers can barely
do two round trips per day, which equates to lost revenue and can drive a once
profitable operation out of business. To avoid the morning rush, employees have to
leave their homes at least two hours before their shifts start. This leads to loss of
personal time and affects work/life balance, which can lead to added frustration and
stress.

iii. LABOR CONTRACTUALIZATION

It is obvious that job is our primary source of money, regardless of who we are. We
can't have money if we don't accomplish anything. We won't be able to buy the basic
necessities if we don't have money. That is why working is a never-ending cycle in our
lives. One of the most serious challenges in the Philippines is labor contractualization. It
is also referred to as "end-of-contract" or "endo." It is the practice of hiring workers for a
short period of time before firing them. In this system, it is common to be hired for fewer
than six months.
Employees are abused in a number of ways under this system. Employees, for
example, have no say in this circumstance because the supervisor can fire them at any
time. Many people think that the disadvantages of contractualization outweigh the
advantages. Labor contractualization has several implications. It slows the economy
since workers are laid off every five to six months, leaving them unemployed. There are
no employment benefits because the workers only work for a limited time. Another
problem is that the employee was paid very low. Furthermore, it creates a chaotic work
environment, workers have low morale, and productivity levels may be low.
 SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS

Many Filipino laborers are currently suffering as a result of the COVID-19

outbreak. There are many issues or problems that a laborer has facing today. These
include labor contractualization, often known as endo-of-contract.  Their jobs are just for
a limited period of time, generally less than six months, because the company will fire
them promptly. This type of issue has a significant impact not only on the laborer but
also on their family because their jobs are not permanent. They must seek for work in
various industries in order to cover their living expenses at home. The major reason for
this being the main issue is because jobs or work are extremely difficult to come by in
the Philippines. It takes a few months to get a job in the Philippines, which is why many
Filipinos are still struggling and unable to save for the future with their earnings. Labor
contractualization can create an impact on the economy of the Philippines. The
economy will become unstable because laborers are terminated every five to six
months which may result in an increase in the unemployment rate. Another
disadvantage of labor contractualization is that productivity levels may be weak, which
may have an impact on the economy later on.
Traffic congestion is also one of the issues that Filipino laborers are facing today.
Some people cannot afford to purchase cars, motorcycles, or other forms of
transportation because they are extremely expensive. As a result, many Filipino workers
are commuters, meaning they travel from home to work. They must get up early in order
to go to work on time since it is very traffic in the Philippines. Major firms say that
managers frequently complain about traffic, especially when it comes to workers arriving
late for work. It has an effect on the productivity and industry competition of over a
million Filipino employees or laborers, which may have an impact on the Philippine
economy in the future. People who commute going to work lose time that could have
been used to earn money, and energy. They are already fatigued when they arrive at
work, resulting in a less productive workforce. Public Utility Vehicles are caused for
traffic, although the true causes are the number of vehicles in Metro Manila and
people's lack of discipline. Finally, the issue of low wages is also one of the complaints
of the laborers.  The minimum wages in the Philippines depend on the province where
the laborers are working.  The minimum wage provided by the National Wages and
Productivity Commission is insufficient to support their daily needs. As a result, many
people in the Philippines remain poor and face hardships.

BACKGROUND OF THE GROUP

Laborers in this paper are pertaining to the unskilled laborers which refer to
workers who lack certain skills and are unlikely to have received formal education. This
sort of labor typically entails simple tasks that do not need judgment. Unskilled labor
may need physical strength and energy in some circumstances. Many companies
appreciate unskilled labor because they keep their operations running smoothly and
might account for a considerable portion of their staff. Delivery drivers, cleaners or
janitors, fast food workers, line operators, messengers, construction laborers, and so on
are examples of unskilled labor.

SUGGESTED RESPONSE OR ACTION TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE

To solve the issue of labor contractualization, the "end endo" bill must be filed
again, approved, and become effective as soon as possible. Endo, or labor
contractualization, was previously filed by Joel Villanueva and vetoed by President
Rodrigo Duterte, despite the fact that this was one of his campaign agendas in the 2016
elections, which garnered him the support of labor leaders. Giving the laborers or
employees peace of mind is important because if they are assured, they will be able to
fulfill their jobs and obligations significantly and more efficiently, and when they are
efficient, the work outcomes will be good. Also, if the bill is passed, the employer will
gain from it. They will make more money, which will enable them to cover their daily
living expenses at home.
To address the issue of traffic congestion, Metro Manila needs a reliable mass
transportation system, disciplined citizens, and more efficient laws and law enforcers.
The Philippines' transportation system is inefficient and insufficient to serve the number
of people that commute every day. Buses, jeeps, and taxis seem to disregard traffic
rules and regulations. The majority of drivers drive dangerously, risking themselves and
their passengers. The LRT/MRT had a number of issues last year, yet despite the
number of incidents that occurred, people continued to use it. The government did
something about the LRT/MRT, raising the fees to fund greater maintenance, but
nothing was done about the jeeps, taxis, and buses. The Philippines must begin with
the government in order to establish a reliable system. The government must do
something practical to accommodate the people while also disciplining them.
People must follow the laws and regulations and recognize their mistakes in
order for our country to grow. Law enforcement officers should not take money or allow
people to escape just because they have authority or are linked with large corporations.
People should understand what is wrong and what is right, as well as their rights on the
road. Some traffic officers misuse their authority and claim that something is wrong
when, in reality, nothing is wrong. Drivers in the Philippines are not very disciplined.
Traffic is created not just by the number of cars in Metro Manila, but also by drivers who
load, unload, and park everywhere, as well as by those who simply do not care. People
who load and unload anywhere are also not arrested by traffic officers. The Philippines
is believed to have some of the worst drivers in the world, and terrible driving results in
less safety and discipline on the road. People must be disciplined in order for the roads
to be safer to drive on and the system to be more efficient.
The issue of low salaries in the Philippines is also important to address because
this is where people get their money to pay their expenses at home. In order to address
this particular issue, the government should implement specific law establishing a
minimum salary high enough to cover their daily expenditures. The government should
also revise and raise the present minimum wages in each province in order to have an
impact not only on the everyday lives of laborers but also on the Philippine economy.
References:
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/753211/philippines-among-
countries-with-lowest-average-wage/story/

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/metro/2015/10/01/Metro-Manila-Philippines-
worst-traffic-longest-commute-Waze-survey.html

https://reason.org/wp-content/uploads/files/
employer_views_traffic_congestion.pdf