Research

Comelec: REGISTER so you can vote in 2007

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lifts
Declaration of State of Emergency on March 3, 2006

TUCP on the movements by a tactical alliance
between disgruntled soldiers and leftist rebels…

TUCP, the country‘s largest labor group, called for an immediate end to efforts to destabilize the Arroyo administration, which they said would seriously affect the workers.

“We are concerned over the country’s ability to attract investors and create jobs in the long term. So, we must resolve this immediately within the bounds of the Constitution.”

Uniden returns to the Philippines
by Judy T. Gulane, from BusinessWorld, July 13, 2005

Remember UNIDEN?

UNIDEN is still at it, even in China.

CHINESE WORKERS STRIKE

Nearly 16,000 workers are on strike at the Uniden Electronics Products factory in China, protesting for the right to set up a union and against the dismissal of several workers who organised a previous strike.

CHINA: Thousands of workers are on strike at an electronics factory in Fuyong town, Shenzhen, protesting for the right to set up a trade union. China Labour Watch reports that nearly 16,000 workers at the Uniden Electronics Products factory have been supporting the action since Monday.

The workers are also angry about the factory’s recent dismissal of several workers who organised a large strike in November last year in a fight for better wages and working conditions.

The factory is the main manufacturing plant for Uniden, a Tokyo-based Japanese company that makes cordless phones. [April 21, 2005]

International Metalworkers’ Federation
IMF NewsBriefs No. 06/2005

RESEARCH GUIDE TO TUCP STUDIES ON LABOR ISSUES

Globalization and Philippine Workers:
A Summary Balance Sheet and Emerging Actions
2002

Some Social Protection Issues in the Philippines

Paper of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Proposed Amendments to Republic Act No. 8282 (Social Security Act of 2001) 2001

TUCP Position Paper on Creditability of All Forms of Wage/Salary Increases under Wage Order No. IV-08 2001

TUCP Position Paper on House Bill No. 2605 Seeking to Raise Minimum Wages 2001

TUCP / FFW / APL Joint Position for Wage Increase of P77 Daily at the NCR
2001

Development and Equity
BUILDING A PHILIPPINES FOR THE PEOPLE
1995

This paper for a National Conference on “Jobs, Justice and Development in the International Economy” provides the background for the formulation of action programs to address labor, equity and social protection in these times of globalization and international competition. An analysis of pains and gains in development indicates the urgency of income and asset “redistribution”, tax reforms, production and price management, and focused structural adjustments.

Health Care
HEALTH CARE ECONOMICS: THE PHILIPPINE SCENARIO
1995

The study analyses the National Health Care Plan. It proposes alternative and complementary agenda, including addressing basic needs, health financing strategies, risk sharing and control.

Fiscal Policy
THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1995
1994

The study analyzes the assumptions, structure, and content of the national budget from the view of the labor sector. Labor is concerned about the allocation of scarce resources towards social services and general public services which are gradually losing out funding for economic services, and pushes for more resources for housing, social security, health and education.

EPZ Situationer
AN OVERVIEW OF PHILIPPINE EPZs
1994

The study looks at the costs and benefits of EPZs from the view of the economy, the enterprises and the workers. It lists 10 issues on EPZ viability and competitiveness, capacities of enterprises and skills of workers, and empowerment of workers. Agendas for advocacy, government agencies and for workers are outlined.

CBA Analysis
AN ANALYSIS OF GOV’T EMPLOYEES ORGANIZATIONS
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS
1994

The study sets out standards for terms and conditions of work, including welfare provisions, in a sample of nine CBAs in the public sector. The study provides a guide for unions bargaining with government agencies.

Labor Market Forecasting/ Advocacy Agenda
1994-1995 PROSPECTS FOR THE PHILIPPINE LABOR MARKET
1994

An initial foray into labor market forecasting, the study interprets available inputs from economic forecasts in terms of three labor market variables: demand for labor, unemployment rate and living wages (for 3 regions). The approach highlights the importance of the informal sector, which accounts for almost 55% of total employment. It lends credence to the “jobless growth” phenomenon and projects that unemployment will stay around 10% despite 2.5% and 4% and growth for GDP in 1994 and 1995. A list of advocacy issues is suggested for TUCP.

Minimum Wage Negotiation
HOW MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES COPE
1994

A study of Metro Manila minimum wage earners and their families–how they adjust to their “income blanket.” The study defines the typical breakfast options among workers, revamping some traditional concepts of what may be considered “wage goods.” For example, the staple breakfast item is no longer pan de sal but noodles! The study also peeks into their housing, entertainment and extra income generating choices.

Medium-Term Development Plan
THE LABOR VIEW: A RESPONSE TO THE PHILIPPINE
MEDIUM TERM DEVELOPMENT PLAN
1993

The paper is a critique of the Medium Term Plan which is deemed outdated, unimaginative and confused. One basic problem is that the Plan is not sure what is vision, what is objective and what is strategy. The plan fails to focus on employment and labor issues. It does not assume any figures on wages; and fails to enunciate clear strategies to create employment. It remains silent also on how to manage unemployment. Labor-centered issues are brought to the fore, and suggestions on how to embellish the Plan with more substance are forwarded.

Manufacturing Industries/Productivity and Earnings
EMPLOYMENT, EARNINGS AND PRODUCTIVITY IN
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
1993

This study covers the difficult no-growth decade of the 1980s, and documents how the industrial sector remains “frozen” in terms of structure and productivity. The most productive industries have been those that have achieved some capital deepening (higher fixed assets per worker), as well as those that have exhibited relatively higher employee earnings. Two industries that have higher employment elasticities have also been wanting on both counts however: garments manufacturing and metal fabrication industries. The study provides a quick acquaintance with manufacturing performance in the distracted quest for Philippine industrialization.

Power Crisis /Productivity and Power
THE IMPACT OF BROWNOUTS IN EMPLOYMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY
1993

What’s productivity without electricity? This is a compact study about urgent infrastructure development, and the significant impact of “powerlessness” on employment and investments.

Occupational Safety and Health Export /Processing Zones
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ISSUES
IN AN EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE ENVIRONMENT
1992

In an environment where more than 80% of over 20,000 workers are young women, there are unique health and safety issues that need to be addressed. The lack of toilet facilities and low hygiene consciousness are found to be major problems. Medical professionals are lacking, and the image of “Dr. Paracetamol” is prominent. The concerns over safety against dust, chemicals and heat is also found to be low. Programs for trade union-led action are suggested.

Regional Living Wages/ Minimum Wage Negotiation
TOWARD ASSISTING THE WORKER POPULATION IN EASTERN VISAYAS
1992

As the country’s poorest region, this typhoon entry point was ravaged by flooding (Ormoc City) in 1991 killing over 6,000 people. It is the region with the highest out migration, and workers in its sugar plantations are known to receive only a third of the statutory wage. The study establishes the appropriate living wage in Tacloban and Ormoc cities to be P196.38 per day or 83% higher than the prevailing minimum wage. The study evaluates the rehabilitation work in Ormoc, and endorses the low-key but highly impressive housing reconstruction that has taken place. The study proposes long-term economic development and employment strategies for the region.

Regional Living Wages /Minimum Wage Negotiation /
Calamity-Area Recovery Programming
AN ASSESSMENT OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES
IN EMPLOYMENT, WORKER LIFESTYLES AND NEEDS, AND
LIVING WAGE LEVELS IN CENTRAL LUZON
1992

A socio-economic study of the region that continues to be ravaged by after-effects of the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991, this contains major proposals for regional development from the workers’ standpoint. While the chief concern is that of employment creation, the living wage cannot be neglected. Reconstruction work must consider actual worker needs, and should explore more light processing activities.

Contractual Employment
EXTENT AND PATTERNS OF CONTRACTUAL
EMPLOYMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES
1991

A groundbreaking study intended to dimension the surge of temporary contractual employment, the research determined the average rate of contractual employment to be a little over 40% in 1991. The study involved extensive sampling across key sectors. It studies and recommends strategies to cope with the phenomenon, from the trade union standpoint. Above all, it proposes that laws should recognize the phenomenon, and not expect reality to adjust to the laws.

Unemployment Management
THE UNEMPLOYED AND HOW THEY COPE
1991

The study diagnoses the causes, duration, dimensions and management problems pertaining to unemployment at three levels: personal, sectoral and . It proposes an “unemployment management system” involving private and public institutions. It also suggests that the minimum wage levels be adjusted in order to motivate workers to join the labor market, since the “benefits” that are provided the unemployed by informal support systems outweigh financial incentives from formal employment at the margin.

Worker’s Education/ Economic Policy / Labor Policy
MAJOR ISSUES AND BLUEPRINT FOR WORKERS EDUCATION
1991

A guidebook for teaching Labor Issues and Economic Policy, it contains short briefing materials on the following topics:

Sectoral development, Employment and Investments
Social Development and Poverty Attack
Equity, Incomes and Taxation
Education and Human Resources Development
Infrastructure and Public Services

Regional Living Wages /Minimum Wage Negotiation
REGIONAL LIVING WAGE DETERMINATION:
A PILOT STUDY FOR SOUTHERN LUZON
1991

The first budget-survey generated study on living wages at the regional level, this also proposes the “building blocks” approach to determining living wages. These blocks include: Basic Food Requirements, Basic Housing Provisions, Cultural Additives, Work-Determined Expenses and Stage-in-Family-Development-Specific Expenses. It also proposes the Development-Specific Expenses. It also proposes the consideration of Stage-in-Family Development as an important variable in minimum wage determination.

Minimum Wage /Consumer Price Index
TOWARD A TUCP MODEL FOR PHILIPPINE
WAGE DETERMINATION AND ANALYSIS
1991

This study abolishes the common hackneyed argument that increasing wages would fuel runaway inflation and increase unemployment. It determines a viable econometric relationship between the major determinants of CPI levels. For every 1% increase in CPI, the major determinants are the foreign exchange rate and the level of money supply. The influence of wages is generally puny. There is no statistical basis for claiming that minimum wage increases lead to higher unemployment.

Interest Rates
A SHORT-TERM FORECASTING MODEL FOR INTEREST RATES
1991

In an economy where interest rates become overheated cyclically, it is important to determine the causes of this phenomenon, as well as anticipate their magnitudes in the future. The study presents adequate evidence why the public sector must keep itself committed to more prudent fiscal guidelines. The major determinants of interest rates are found to be: Gross International Reserves, CPI and Government Current Expenditures.

Structural Adjustments
EMPLOYMENT, STRUCTURAL CHANGE, AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS:
CASE STUDIES OF ENTERPRISES
1991

The study aims to evaluate coping mechanisms by enterprises in adjusting to structural change, their impact on workers, and on the employment policy environment. The study looks at two cases: a wood enterprise threatened with logging phase out, a rubber plantation subject to agrarian reform. Among the key themes: workers as the dispensable factor, workers as underprotected assets, workers contribute to solutions, strategic responses rather than short term-palliatives are appropriate.

Worker’s Housing
HOUSING: ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES AND WORKER ACTION
1990

Only 30% own land or housing. Up to 60% of Metro Manilans are considered “squatters.” Homeless workers have long clamored for attention, but have not been heard. What are the appropriate approaches to workers housing? How can housing be made more affordable? What types of innovative financing are needed? What can trade unions do? These questions are pursued in his study.

Health Services
HEALTH SERVICES: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS
1990

The state of health services has been described as “alarming.” The cost of health services is skyrocketing, and more workers are seeking extraordinary and cheaper alternatives to modern health care. What can trade unions do? What types of group insurance should be made available? What are the prospects for health care?

Educational Reforms
CRISIS IN EDUCATION: WHAT CAN WORKERS DO?
1990

Philippine education has two major problems: financial and non-financial. There is a basic problem with the objective of the entire system: literacy should give way to higher intelligence. Curricula, teacher qualifications, textbooks and methodologies should be revised, with scientific and technical education as the focus of urgent action. The cost of education has become more forbidding to workers. The government budget for Education has dipped from 24% of total in 1970 to 12% in recent years. The public school system has deteriorated. Pre-school education is suggested as a major avenue for worker action, together with policy action on college education accessibility.

Plantation Sector/ Employment Creation /Agricultural Employment
ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT CREATION STRATEGIES
FOR PLANTATION WORKERS IN THE PHILIPPINES
1990

The plantation sector in the country has been under a cloud of recession since the 1980s. Coconut (1.1 million) and sugar (0.5 million) industry workers have been significantly affected by low world prices for coconut oil and the uncompetitive-low-productivity high-price situation in sugar. Rubber plantation and pineapple plantation workers have also experienced retrenchments. Only the banana industry has been relatively stable. The study recommends the development of alternative agricultural crops on a wider scale, with downstream processing industries in key regions of the country. A volume of project feasibility studies is included.

Homeworkers
AN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR HOMEBASED
PRODUCTION WORKERS IN THE PHILIPPINES
1990

A three-part study looks into information on homeworkers, alternative models of assistance, alternative assistance mechanisms , needs and receptiveness to assistance modes, and designs a program approach, and components and methodologies. It identifies a general assistance structure, community-wide assistance, industry-specific assistance, contractor/exporter/producer assistance, and family-based organizational assistance.

Transportation
TRANSPORTATION: WORKERS INITIATIVES AND INTERVENTIONS
1990

The transport problem in Metro Manila is huge. The fixed infrastructure are limited; the moving equipment is growing rapidly. There is decreasing service capability. The market is expanding fast: workers and other commuters, organized group travellers, vehicle owners and car riders, and cargo movers. The solution must be market-oriented: matching modes with needs. The options for worker interventions in their own behalf are outlined.