Ateneo de Naga University - Senior Highschool

A/Y 2023-2024

EXPLOITATION OF
WORKERS’ RIGHTS AND
POOR WORKING
CONDITIONS
Presented by Group 1: Brent Isaac Geronimo, Raine Justine Mela Cerillo, Jenieva
Ibarreta, , Rae Frances Joson, Devina Marie Lopo
 MEMBERS:

Raine Justine Mela Brent Isaac Devina Marie

Cerillo Geronimo Lopo

Jenieva Ibarreta Rae Frances

Joson
 SCENARIO #1
Regine is a factory worker in a multi-national
company in Laguna. She works long hours in
unsafe conditions for a meager wage, and her
employer frequently withholds overtime pay.
Regine and her co-workers have no union
representation and are afraid to speak up for fear
of losing their jobs.
IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM

Exploitation of workers’
rights and poor working
conditions
 IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM

Regine is identified to be working in an environment that

may pose risks to her health and safety. This itself
disregards labor laws that require employees to provide a
safe workplace. Moreover, Regine is working overtime
beyond what is legally permissible. This could lead to the
issue of overwork and fatigue.
 IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM

Despite this disregard for the well-being of their

employees, Regine’s employer is not compensating
obediently their employees for overtime work. This shows
a direct violation of labor laws that require employers to pay
for any additional hours worked beyond working hours.
 IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM

Lastly, Regine and her co-workers are afraid to speak about

their concerns due to fear of losing their jobs. This may be
an indication that the employees do not feel safe enough
working in such an environment.
 SOLUTION

Regine’s current situation highlights numerous challenges

that need to be addressed to improve and alleviate the
workplace environment and labor rights she and her co-
workers should have.
 SOLUTION

Given the scenario, Regine and her workfellows can first

educate themselves about labor rights laws, including
minimum wage standards, overtime pay regulations, and
workplace safety requirements. Empowering them to
understand their rights as workers in a company will lead to
sound and informed decisions—it can result in just
employment terms.
 SOLUTION
Consequently, another possible solution that they can act
upon is to connect and seek legal assistance with legal
aid organizations or labor rights groups in the country. This
can involve bringing legal action against the employer for
unfair labor practices, lodging complaints with the
appropriate labor authorities, and making sure that
employees receive the pay and benefits to which they are
legally entitled.
 SOLUTION
Furthermore, bringing to the attention of relevant
government authorities such as the Department of Labor
and Employment can be a practicable answer to their
detriment. With the presence of these government
agencies, the malpractices of the multi-national company
can be brought to light as the agency promotes
inspections, audits, and the enforcement of labor laws.
CST PRINCIPLES THAT WE
CAN APPLY ON THE
SCENARIO
 PRINCIPLE
The state of Regines calls to convey the Catholic Social
Teaching Principle of the Dignity and Rights of Workers.
This Catholic Social Teaching aims to build a just living
society against expectations and unfairness–to bear on the
societal issues we face in the social dimensions of our lives,
giving us a vision of a just society because these teachings
and principles offer each individual a way of thinking, being,
and seeing the world to the extent of understanding human
lives and dignity.
 PRINCIPLE
Based on the problems identified, namely the mistreatment
of the employees, ignorance of labor regulations, non-
compensation for overtime hours, and the fear of speaking
out about their issues due to fear of losing their employment,
violate the concept principle of Dignity and Rights of Workers
to have a safe and healthy working environment that
considers not only their amount of workload and working
hours, but also their physical psychosocial health, fairness
towards everyone, and positive reinforcement to all workers.
 PRINCIPLE
We must remember that the economy must serve its people
and not overwork them because individual work is not only
for everyone to make and continue a living, but also the
continuance of His creations. Each must reflect that a
worker’s dignity and rights should be valued, as they are to
be respected in any position and working environment they
are in.
 POSITIVE EFFECTS IF WE
APPLY THE CST PRINCIPLES
ON THE SCENARIO
 POSITIVE EFFECTS
We must remember that the economy must serve its people
and not overwork them because individual work is not only
for everyone to make and continue a living, but also the
continuance of His creations. Each must reflect that a
worker’s dignity and rights should be valued, as they are to
be respected in any position and working environment they
are in.
 POSITIVE EFFECTS
Moreover, this promotes solidarity among workers as it
encourages them to speak out for more equitable justice.
Lastly, this upholds human dignity because when workers are
treated justly with decent wages and safe conditions, it
affirms their dignity as individuals because when people are
valued and respected in their workplaces, they are more
likely to contribute positively to their communities leading to
a harmonious society.
 ORGANIZATIONS
THAT ADVOCATE THE
PROBLEM
Department of Center for Philippine Trade
Kilusang Mayo
Labor and Trade Union and and General
Uno
Employment Human Rights Workers
Organization
 CONCLUSION
In a nutshell, Regine’s circumstances as a manufacturing
worker at a multinational firm in Laguna, subjected to hazardous
working conditions, long hours, and no overtime pay, constitute
a troubling infringement of her labor rights and those of her co-
workers. Tackling this unfavorable situation requires a planned
and cooperative solution—it is imperative that Regine and
colleagues follow the steps discussed from comprehending
their legal rights to seeking assistance from labor rights
organizations.
 CONCLUSION
Moreover, the state of Regine conveys a call for the Catholic
Social Teaching Principle of the Dignity and Rights of Workers
which bears on the societal issues we face in our lives, thus
giving us a vision of a just society. A more thorough and
successful settlement can also be achieved by looking at union
representation opportunities, employing anonymous reporting
routes, and taking media awareness into account. Encouraging
employees such as Regine, making sure their rights are
respected, and creating a more secure and equitable
workplace are the ultimate objectives.