Workers’ Job and Income Security Amid Lockdown
May 1, 2020CitizenWatch Philippines Labor Day Statement
Labor Day is a national holiday dedicated to society’s workforce. In this time of crisis, front-liners are heroes ensuring our safety and the continuity of essential operations. CitizenWatch Philippines enjoins the nation in thanking all our noble front-liners, laborers and alike whom we celebrate on this day.
Despite uncertain times, we have seen the pro-active response of the private sector through generous relief efforts for their employees and the general public. But as the crisis continues, the economic effects of the pandemic now threaten the the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from which about 90-percent of the Filipino labor force belongs. According to Philippine Statistic Authority, the MSMEs employ nearly 9-million Filipinos and consists almost 1-million registered business establishments.
The chilling effect of job and income instability for Filipino consumers is depressing. In the most recent survey of Pulse Asia, respondents said that “increasing the pay of workers,” and “creating more jobs” are the second and third highest in Most Urgent National Concern. In the same survey, 46-percent claimed that “to have a secure or well-paying job or source of income,” is the Most Urgent Personal Concern.
The adverse effects of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) resulted into majority of businesses ceasing its operations, with many may be on the brink of total business closure. The ECQ has impeded the cash flow of MSMEs, gravely alienating employees and the ordinary entrepreneurs. They now suffer with barely to zero income with continuing expenses. This is amplified by the lack and delayed government support for the MSMEs sector.
CitizenWatch Philippines calls for the accelerated distribution of the Social Amelioration Program to subsidize the wages lost during the quarantine period. There must also be urgent action to support the small and medium enterprises who are now struggling to survive. The families of millions of workers depend on the wages from these small businesses.
We stress the need for government agencies, tasked in crafting economic programs to extend all measures of relief to the MSME sector. The severely hit industries require revival through tax credits, tax amnesties, and interest-free loans.
All businesses are hyperlinked to multiple industries that need unhampered supply lines to continue operations. Any break in the hyperlinked ecosystem will cause a failure in the delivery of essential goods and services.
Government must prioritize the welfare of its people who rely on their daily wages to live an honest and productive life. Only with the effective partnership of government and private enterprises can we re-awaken our sleeping economy.
This is not a time for divisive rhetoric. This is not a time for shameless political grandstanding. The country needs extraordinary feats of statesmanship and governance.
Let us all stand up, act, and inspire a new spirit of synergy that will help us break through this crisis.
Orlando A. Oxales
Lead Convenor
CitizenWatch Philippines