Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8) — A number of groups again called for guaranteed safety of women in the workplace as well as higher wages as the world marks International Women’s Day on Wednesday.
Labor group Women Workers United urged the labor department to hasten the adoption of International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 190 (C90), a treaty that ensures women’s safety from harassment and violence in workplaces.
The labor department, under then Secretary Silvestre Bello, set in motion C190’s ratification by convening a technical working group in 2021.
The House of Representatives in January this year adopted a resolution calling for the immediate ratification of the treaty.
Jillian Roque of the Women Workers United also presented a report on harassment cases of women to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The report includes two cases of killings, two cases of abductions and enforced disappearance, 13 cases of illegal arrests and detention and 17 cases of arrests during strike.
Although the DOLE expressed support during the meeting with Women Workers United, the agency has yet to give concrete initiatives.
Meanwhile, women’s group Gabriela urged for a ₱750 minimum wage increase while improving services for violence against women and children.
“Women hold up half the sky. Ours is a fight to link arms with the rest of the exploited peoples in the Philippines and the world,” Gabriela said in a statement.
“Nananawagan po kaming lahat na itaas ang sweldo, magkaroon ng wage recovery at ipasa ang isang legislated family living wage,” Judy Anne Miranda, secretary general of Partido Manggagawa, said during the protest in from of DOLE office in Intramuros, Manila.
[Translation: We called for a wage hike, to have a wage recovery and the approval of a legislated family living wage.]
Gabriela also called for the protection of women’s rights where they are “free to unionize, negotiate, engage in collective bargaining, and protest in different spaces without fear of violence and reprisal.”
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) urged the government to distribute the unpaid salaries and grants that were promised since 2020.
“As we celebrate the achievements of women, we call on the government to prioritize the welfare of public school teachers,” ACT said in a statement. “Particularly public school teachers who have been tirelessly educating our youth despite being overworked, underpaid, under supported, and under attack.”
Campus gender equality group Enough is Enough has urged the senate to scrap the planned mandatory Reserve Officer Training Course (ROTC) as the bill will “fuel misogyny and sexism and will push back a decade worth of efforts to make learning institutions safe spaces.”
Instead, the group said the education department should focus on “actively purging our campuses of predators and enablers.”
Under RA 6949 of 1990, The National Women’s Day is celebrated annually in the country every March 8.
The day is also declared a working special holiday to ensure a “meaningful observance” and “encourage and afford sufficient time and opportunities” for private and government employees to engage in activities related to this holiday.
CNN Philippines correspondent Lois Calderon contributed to this story
