18 Aug 2024 – NTUC Phl President Jhing Ogalinda stressed “Ganyan talaga ang patuloy na mangyayari [sa economy] dahil inde naman kasama ang ating workers and their families dyan. Inde inclusive ang Philippine economy. Paano makaaahon ang bansa kung patuloy na depressed ang real wages, at lalong lumalalim ang inequality.” In the blended NTUC Phl 6th anniversary celebrations on Aug 18, she said that slowed consumption caused by depressed real wages and inequality is holding down what the economy could be. While noting that NTUC Phl and its affiliates have resumed normal operations despite global uncertainties, President Jhing cited continuing Covid in 84 countries, conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and elsewhere, harsh demonstrations from climate change, among multiple crises.

The Philippine Statistics Authority and NEDA reported faster GDP growth and lower unemployment rate by the 2nd quarter of 2024, but “millions pa rin ang kulang ang sweldo para sa family needs”. Uncertainties continue with inflation and slowing gains in incomes and spending.

The President cited achievements since NTUC’s 2nd Convention in August 2023
where three of the five principal officers elected are women.

1. Affiliation of POSTAL (Pinag-isang Organisasyon ng mga Tagapangalaga ng iham) noong 2023

2. There are new locals, new or renewed CBAs, workers associations. Many unions are under organization or CBAs under negotiation.

3. The annual JILAF seminars on employment security and industrial relations
in October 2023 in Quezon City and Tagaytay and July 30-31 this year have returned to in-person mode.

These seminars – online in 2020-2022 – serve as another venue for discussion and exchange of experience among resource persons, including from JILAF, DOLE agencies, ILO, PEZA, NEDA, Philhealth, NTUC Phl leaders, women and youth trainees, and others on socio-economic, sectoral, and labor issues.

This year, there was an in-depth take on occupational safety and health (OSH)
in conjunction with ILO’s adoption of occupational health and safety (OSH)
as the fifth fundamental principle in international labor standards.
As well as human rights due diligence in global supply chains in line with global efforts to find alternative ways for extracting compliance with international labor standards, national rules and regulations, etc.

4. Phase 2 of ITUC AP/ATUC/DGB women and youth project on women and youth (WaY) participation in trade unions focusing on mentoring training will end in Dec 2024.

NTUC was able to do many things even without support from the sponsors since 2022 – three mentoring manuals redesigned to our NTUC realities, flagship WaY provisions in CBAs, a guide for negotiating EBM against VnH, at marami pang iba.

Some 26 local unions so far have proposed discussions and negotiations with their employers to craft enterprise-based mechanisms against violence and harassment. 21 of these unions with almost 9,500 members already have CBA provisions mandating the process. Some others are in negotiations for this ILO Convention 190 initiative.

5. The regular Women and Youth Assemblies continue to review progress in NTUC’s Consolidated WaY Action Agenda, hear progress and successes in the ITUC AP DGB BW ATUC project; assess progress on actions in the 2018-2023 NTUC Phl/JILAF Conclusions and Recommendations; and to plan next steps.

Women and youth now lead NTUC Phl activities – in line with the intention
to build more women and young leaders for the future of NTUC and the trade union movement

6. A new flagship program, known as Cluster Learning Courses (CLiCk),
is being conducted by the NTUC Phl Leadership Institute (LEADNtI) as directed by the Aug 2023 Convention.

NTUC’s self-funded CLiCks develop women and youth leaders for the future of decent work. They cover intensively a limited number of topics, including labor standards, trade union administration, trade union finance, and artificial intelligence in work and unions. There have been 24 graduates since the courses started (by Zoom then) in Feb-June 2023. CLiCk 3 started on August 10.

7. NTUC has many graduates in ITCILO Turin courses which expand unions’ perspectives on global information and action.

8. NTUC and its affiliates continue with advocacy: various issues in the NTUC Phl Labor Agenda, Women and Youth Agenda 2023-2028, implementation of ILO Convention 190, inflation, living wages, imports of rice and other food further disadvantaging farmers and workers, social development goals (SDGs), human and trade union rights, challenging governance, nakasusukang corruption, among many other issues.

Deeper engagement in Philhealth advocacy for universal membership in pursuit of universal health care was launched in the NTUC/JILAF seminar last month.

9. Issues and problems with non-progressive employers continue, assaulting rights and labor standards. They are dealt with with dispatch despite challenges from the system and its implementors.

10. NTUC Phl continue to be represented in tripartite government bodies, including new appointments in NWPC, RTWPBs, TIPC, TESDA, BCDA, TVAC, NEDA stakeholder chamber on SDGs — a testimony to government’s recognition of NTUC’s genuine contributions to tripartite social dialogue.

11. Formal affiliation in the ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation) is still pending. We continue to be engaged in activities and programs, and we appreciate them truly: ILO, ITUC AP, ATUC, JILAF, and other solidarity support organizations, including DGB Bildungswerk

The President cited the dedicated work, in planning and implementation of NTUC programs and activities, of the National Project Committee/Education and Research Committee (NPC ERC).

She warned of many more challenges to unions, communities, and nation, while
exhorting to “rely on ourselves, on our own federations, local unions, and people
for our progress and rapid advance.” She echoed General Secretary Rodolfo Capoquian’s “The future is in our hands.” She stressed “… and our hands will build the future of our unions, communities, and country.”

The participants (50% women, 55% online) thought through a Flash presentation on issues/concerns that NTUC and its affiliates are working on, including depressed real wages, living wages, inflation, and their labor implications; union organizing, negotiation, and slow labor justice; inadequate social protection and health care; education, education delivery issues, and unions in schools; implementation of the ratified ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment (VnH) in the world of work and NTUC actions on enterprise-based mechanisms on VnH; overhaul of Executive Order No. 180: Providing Guidelines for the Exercise of the Right to Organize of Government Employees, Creating a Public Sector Labor-Management Council, xxx”; food security, food imports, domestic production, and buy-Filipino campaign; fails in RCEP and other free trade agreements; implementing the OSH law and addressing mental health; Digital, AI, Green, Formality transitions; Action on other ILO Conventions, including one for platform workers; and Sectoral representation in LGUs.

General Council members commented on the difficult environment and results in organizing, unhelpful misactions from DOLE officials in the regions, continuing job orders and COS (contract of service) status in government, among other things.

After the presentation of the Consolidated Women and Youth (WaY)Agenda 2023-2028 by Deputy General Secretary Angelita Senorin, the participants held breakout sessions on their actions and plans on the 18 points in the WaY Agenda. The presentations on the results of breakout discussions indicate the wide range of completed actions and declared plans.

Sister Aileen Montalban, NTUC Youth Committee Adviser and NATOW Women Committee Chair, steered the anniversary program proceedings.