The government should provide workers who lost their jobs adequate financial aid in order for them to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, former vice president Jejomar “Jojo” Binay said on Labor Day.
“This year we mark Labor Day with millions of workers out of work and hungry. At a time when workers need it the most, government aid is practically non-existent,” Binay, a staunch critic of the current administration, said in a statement.
“But expect the usual platitudes and empty promises from government officials today. ‘Yan lang yata ang hindi nagbabago kahit ilang palit na tayo ng administrasyon (I guess that's the only thing that doesn't change even though we've changed administrations).”
Moreover, Binay said the government must ensure the safety of workers during these trying times by providing free swab tests and allowing the private sector to purchase COVID-19 vaccines.
He said that the government should follow the example of community pantries, which provide food to less fortunate individuals.
“Sana ay dumating ang araw na ang Labor Day ay magiging tunay na araw ng pagkilala sa dignidad ng mga manggagawa (Hopefully, the day will come when Labor Day will become a real day of recognition of the dignity of workers),” said the former vice president.
According to the data of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), over 420,000 Filipinos lost their jobs in 2020 due to the pandemic.