Free Workers mourn with the rest of the nation
“Members of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) nationwide mourn with the Aquino family and the entire nation over the passing of President, Corazon 'Cory' Aquino,” lawyer Allan S. Montaño, national president of the FFW said.
“We lost a world icon of democracy. Her life serves as a reminder to our public servants, and to all of us that life is too short to meaningfully serve the people, so it should be devoted to honest, dedicated, transparent and responsible servant leadership,” added Montaño.
Cory and unions
With the restoration of democracy, workers enjoyed the right to organize into unions during Cory Aquino’s time. The surge led to an increase in union membership in the Philippines. By the middle of her term in 1990, union membership breached the 3 million mark, with those covered by collective bargaining agreements reaching close to half a million.
“The restoration of human rights and of political and civil liberties—Cory’s greatest legacy, provided workers with elbow room to organize themselves and form unions,” said the FFW Statement.
“Unions can only grow and serve workers genuinely in conditions of freedom and justice. For restoring both, Cory deserves a pat in the back from the hands that create wealth for the nation,” the FFW statement added.
The figures on unionism and collective bargaining have been cut into half almost 20 years after.
Free Workers marched with Cory in the struggle against the dictatorship and was one of the labor groups that openly supported the People Power Revolt in 1986.
“She shepherded the masses to the dawn of a new beginning for democracy to flourish,” the statement added.
“The heavens cried all afternoon in mournful sorrow with the rest of the nation as we lost a mother. Cory Aquino is not only a devoted Marian. She is a true disciple. She emulated Mama Mary’s life of sacrifice and care by keeping her family together during turbulent times when her martyred husband and national hero Ninoy languished in jail. She became a Mother for all of us when she became the nucleus of a big and bold movement that toppled a dictator and restored democracy in the country,” the FFW statement said.
Cory on the wage issue
In Cory Aquino’s six-year stint as President, the minimum wage was increased five times, the last pegged at 89 pesos on July 1, 1989 when Republic Act 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act came into force. That rate stands as the highest legislated rate in the history of the country. The next four highest increases in minimum wage also happened under her presidency through Republic 6640 and Executive Order No. 178.
Ironically, the Wage Rationalization Act that created the Regional Wages and Productivity Board is also the center of many criticisms. The Law, which paved the way for the setting of minimum wage rates by region has led to the great disparity between the wage rates in industrial centers like the NCR and poor provinces from the ARMM. Non-agricultural workers in NCR receive a minimum of P 382.00, while those in ARMM get only P 210.00 |
