The head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday, April 30, paid tribute to the country's workers.
"Please know that you are prayed for, you are remembered and we are mindful of the great difficulties that many of you working and laboring for many kinds of services,” CBCP President Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles told church-run Radio Veritas.
"Giving St. Joseph as patron saint for workers and of laborers is a sign that the heart and mind of the church is with you," he added.
The CBCP Episcopal Commission on the Pastoral Care or Migrants and Itinerant People particularly paid tribute to migrants and seafarers.
"Amidst separation from our country and amidst this troubling and trying time of COVID-19 pandemic they continue effectively and efficiently in their work places. We appreciate and grateful for their resiliency, courage and strength to labor harder and honestly for our country and for their family," CBCP Vice Chairman Bishop Ruperto Santos said in an interview.
With the observance of Labor Day on May 1, the prelate expressed hope for the enactment of laws for their benefits to protect them from "unjust, unfair practices."
"Let us continue to promote their rights and always prevent them from exploitation and from scrupulous agencies, and employers. And those who victimised them, those who abused them should be investigated and prosecuted," said Santos of Balanga.
He then asked diocesan desk migrant ministries and chaplaincies to pray and offer Holy Masses for said workers.