Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
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Manila (Fides News Agency) - A forum of Philippine organizations, including the Catholic-affiliated “Church People-Workers Solidarity” (CWS) and unions such as Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and the National Federation of Labor Unions, are calling for the protection of workers' dignity and rights in the face of economic crises and the emergence of technologies like artificial intelligence that could replace humans. Given the dire situation in the Philippine labor market, the unions are planning strikes and protests, linked to fuel prices and government decisions. Blockades, protests, demonstrations, and nationwide strikes are planned.
The organizations point to rising inflation and the sharp increase in the cost of living and are demanding a substantial nationwide wage increase from Congress. The forum emphasizes that workers are often forced to work more than twelve hours a day in extreme shifts to support their families. The current minimum wage is inadequate and must be transformed by law into a genuine "living wage." The forum also stresses the need to end temporary employment contracts and the widespread system of fixed-term contracts, which undermines job security and provides no adequate social protection. It also condemns the practice of "red-tagging," in which union leaders and human rights defenders are branded as "communist rebels" or "terrorists" to delegitimize their demands and union actions. A particular concern today is protection from automation and the unregulated application of artificial intelligence. In a statement following the publication of Pope Leo XIV's encyclical "Magnifica Humanitas," the CWS and other trade union groups call for consistent protection against the so-called "technocratic paradigm." Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, president of the CWS, emphasized: “The economy must serve workers, not the other way around.” The organizations point out that the danger lies in companies using AI as a pretext for mass layoffs, invasive surveillance, further precarious conditions in the labor market, suppression of the right to unionize, and the erosion of workers’ rights. “Work is not merely an economic activity; it is participation in God’s creation,” the bishop recalled. And if technology is used to replace workers for higher profits, “a new social catastrophe will emerge, robbing people not only of their livelihoods but also of their dignity, their purpose, and their ability to participate in social life,” he explained. The Philippine labor market is currently undergoing a complex transition. According to official figures, there are approximately 51.65 million Filipinos in employment. The unemployment rate stands at 5%, which corresponds to approximately 2.58 million people, while the underemployment rate remains exceptionally high at 12.3%. This means that over 6 million Filipinos, despite being employed, must take on a second job or work overtime to secure their families' daily livelihoods. At a delicate stage in the nation's social life, the ecumenical Church People-Workers Solidarity (CWS), comprised of bishops, priests, religious, and workers, continues its mission to promote the dignity of work, defend the right to a fair wage, and support workers against practices such as job insecurity and economic inequality—with the goal of achieving social justice. Furthermore, the organization is engaged in educational activities through programs that raise awareness in parishes and schools via information campaigns, research projects, seminars, and initiatives aimed at students. (PA) (Fides News Agency, 2/6/2026)
