Congressmen celebrated Labor Day last Saturday, May 1, by renewing calls for the swift passage of pro-labor legislation pending in Congress.

Probinsyano Ako Partylist Rep. Jose “Bonito” C. Singson Jr. urged the Lower House leadership to act on House Bill 4802 that proposes to extend the minimum period of probationary employment from six (6) months to 24 months.

Reps. Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Women’s Partylist) and France Castro (1ACT Teachers Partylist) also aired an urgent call for the approval of the so-called “ayuda” bill that would provide for the distribution of P10,000 cash aid to Filipino families.

Both assistant majority leaders, Brosas and Castro also batted for the enactment of a P100 per day emergency wage subsidy bill for workers while the novel coronavirus disease (COVID 19) virus still threatens the country.

“I recognize our laborers’ sacrifices, thus, no honor nor accolades are sufficient enough to thank them for their hard work that our country may continue to sustain a study rudder amidsts the storms it may encounter,” said Singson, chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts.

He added: “Our laborers are the savior of our society.” In pushing for the passage of HB 4802, Singson said the proposed 24-month probationary period for regular employment will give workers enough time to familiarize themselves with the nature of their work and standards of the company.

“This will bring out the much-needed confidence every laborer today is in need of, considering the uncertainty of the times,” he explained.

Singson said: “And with the current difficulties he faces under a health crisis turning into an employment nightmare, his work is a vital factor for survival.” For their part, Brosas and Castro said passage of pro-labor legislation in Congress is urgent as workers continue to suffer with the adverse financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Castro dared President Duterte to demonstrate his concern on the plight of workers during the pandemic by certifying “as urgent administration bill” the P10,000 ayuda bill.

“Now more than ever, wage subsidies and adequate aid for our workers, who are our economic frontliners must be prioritized by the Duterte administration," Castro said.

“More than a year into the longest lockdown, the Duterte administration has failed to make labor and the health crisis its primordial priority, leaving 4 million unemployed, 7.9 million underemployed and 21.1% experiencing hunger," Castro stated.

For her part, Brosas lamented that instead of a P10,000 cash aid to Filipino families reeling from the effects of the pandemic, the House Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a P1,000 subsidy to be distributed in two tranches and P5,000 to P8,000 to households covered by enhanced community quarantines.

“Workers and families must be provided a fixed amount of P10,000 cash aid and nothing less in the face of apocalyptic hunger and joblessness,” said Brosas.

She stressed: “We must not squander the opportunity being presented under Bayanihan 3 settling for a mere P1,000 cash aid, even if all Filipinos would receive it.”