President Rodrigo Duterte lamented the persistent challenge of producing high-paying jobs that could prevent Filipinos from having to eke out a livelihood in a foreign land that promises for better pay than at home.
In his Labor Day statement, Duterte described it “unfortunate” that despite the annual celebration, “the plight of our workers, especially those who choose to leave their families so they may earn better compensation abroad, remains the same.”
As such, the executive chief urged lawmakers to legislate more bills aimed at protecting workers’ rights, adding the working class should be honored “not as a tool of employers and capitalists, but as an essential catalyst for our nation’s overall progress.”
In his speech, Duterte cited labor-focused laws which his administration forged, including the anti-contractualization law which to this day stirs criticism from dissatisfied labor groups saying the law lacks teeth.
Duterte did not partake in any Labor Day activity yesterday.
