“Labor was the first price, the original purchase-money that was paid for all things. It was not by gold or by silver, but by labor, that all wealth of the world was originally purchased.” Adam Smith
Labor Day is celebrated in various ways around the world reflecting the unique labor movements and traditions of each country but primarily honors workers and their contributions.
Though the celebration began in the late 1800s, it was started by the Central Labor Union In New York City on September 5, 1882. It soon became a national holiday & in 1884, the first Monday of September became Labor Day. These days, many countries, including the Philippines, celebrate International Workers’ Day on May 1. The same day that commemorates the infamous Haymarket affair in Chicago that happened in 1886.
Here, Labor Day traces its origins back to the early 20th century. In 1903, during the American colonial period, Filipino workers, under the leadership of the Union Obrera Democratica de Filipinas, rallied to advocate for improved labor conditions. Isabelo de los Reyes, their leader, is widely recognized as the father of the Philippine labor movement.
As if a prelude to what was to happen in my life, as a student, during the “Araw ng Manggagawa”, I had experienced joining rallies staged by progressive labor groups in Metro Manila. The battle cry was to push for fair wages, improved working conditions, and the protection of workers’ rights.
Based on historical records, the Philippines has several laws that protect workers’ rights and promote fair labor practices. These include the Labor Code, which governs wages, benefits, and workplace conditions, as well as laws ensuring job security, fair wages, and safe working environments. Workers also receive social security benefits through SSS and PhilHealth, and have the right to form unions and negotiate better conditions.
The Labor Code of the Philippines was enacted through Presidential Decree No. 442 on May 1, 1974, by President Ferdinand Marcos. This decree consolidated labor and social laws to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, social security benefits, and the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively.
The Security of Tenure principle is enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, ensuring that employees cannot be dismissed without due process. This right is reinforced by various provisions in the Labor Code and executive orders issued by different administrations.
The principles of Fair Wages, Safe Working Conditions, Social Security Benefits, and the Right to Organize and Bargain Collectively are all embedded in the Labor Code, which mandates fair compensation, workplace safety, and the right of workers to unionize.
Additionally, amendments to the Labor Code were also introduced under different administrations. Republic Act No. 6715, also known as the Herrera Law, was authored by Senator Ernesto Herrera and enacted in 1989 under President Corazon Aquino. Senator Leticia Ramos Shahani also introduced amendments to strengthen prohibitions against discrimination against women.
Each Philippine president enacted laws that aimed at improving workers’ rights and conditions. Here are some notable labor laws and initiatives.
Ferdinand Marcos Sr. (1965 – 1986) influenced labor policies in the Philippines through the Labor Code of 1974, which shaped employment practices and labor relations. He formalized overseas employment, leading to the rise of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Though he focused on industrialization to create jobs, his tenure was marked by economic challenges & political unrest resulting in waves of labor migration.
Corazon Aquino (1986–1992): Introduced the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) to allocate land to farmers and enhance their working conditions. During her incumbency, with newly found freedom & tolerance, it bolstered labor unions and collective bargaining rights.
Fidel Ramos (1992–1998): Enacted legislation to foster job creation and economic liberalization. His policies promoted foreign investment while safeguarding labor rights & emphasized improving social security benefits for workers.
Joseph Estrada (1998–2001): Championed the masses & saw wage hikes, better labor conditions, particularly for low-income workers. His short lived presidency prioritized employment opportunities through infrastructure development.
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001–2010): Expanded social security initiatives and implemented protections for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). An economist, she also advocated for labor market reforms to ensure job security and equitable wages.
Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III (2010–2016): Concentrated on generating jobs and enhancing working conditions. His administration reinforced labor rights enforcement and aimed to minimize contractualization for greater job stability.
Rodrigo Duterte (2016 – 2022) to project his administration as protector of workers’ security of tenure, he ordered eliminating abusive contracting and subcontracting practices thru the Executive Order No. 51 though it did not become law to fully implement this.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr., (2022 – current President of the Philippines) has issued several executive orders that include measures aimed at socio-economic development, strengthening regional development councils, and reducing real property taxes for power generation facilities to reduce electricity cost but failed on his aspiration to lower rice to P 20.00/kilo.
Years later after university, I found myself on the other side of the table representing management & engaging workers as an HR professional. May 1 was mostly spent joining Labor Day job fairs & expositions.
For a change, this 2025 Labor Day, while am here in the Land of the Rising Sun, instead of giving tribute to our heroic Labor Leaders, such as Isabelo de los Reyes, the “Father of the Philippine Labor Movement” or Felixberto Olalia Sr., my “cabalen” founder of the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) or any acknowledged leader in any workplace, I would like to give tribute to three (3) seemingly ordinary employees that went beyond what was required of them at work, dared to put up their own businesses, armed only with their acquired work skills, uncommon determination and a genuine desire to share the fruits of their hard labor, by providing employment opportunities. In return, hopefully by being good employers themselves, becoming what they used to hope for when they themselves were ordinary hardworking employees. May their stories inspire many fellow workers who are hesitant or afraid to take that leap of faith.
It was in the 2010s, when Joenel Aquino was hired as a janitor through manpower agency, in my previous Japanese employer. Seeing his energy, curiosity and hard work stand out amongst the utility teram, our Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ronald Pasamonte informed me of his intent to cross train him on technical facilities maintenance skills such as carpentry & woodworks, masonry & painting, landscaping, building electrical & plumbing, HVAC cleaning & minor troubleshooting, as well as hot iron welding & metal works among others. Through in house maintenance projects being implemented year-round, each engagement became erstwhile opportunity to train & guide Joenel.
A decade later, next time I saw & talked to him, it was to discuss the details of his services in repainting my house and do some repairs of our gate & upper floor Toilet & Bath.
To date, this supposed janitor, proprietor of JGA Contractor, employs nine (9) maintenance specialists. When the load of work overwhelms his actual capacity, he taps his fellow “janitors” still working in the same company, to help him help out especially if they are on their off days.
As expected, most if not all of his customers have expressed their satisfaction with the quality of his work, the consistent diligence & speed. Though already in his 5th year in his business, he has remained humble, helpful and honest, appreciating the trust, confidence & mentoring entrusted in him by his former company, its leaders & co-workers.
A licensed Electrical Engineer, Joel Panican, started out as a Pollution Control & Safety Officer (PCSO) then transitioned into Production Machine Engineer. In his former company, he never gained his full potential because he was almost at odds with his immediate supervisor not because of an attitude problem by the honest feedback on operational matters that he always voiced out was deemed a conflict with the direction & decisions made.
It was when even his junior engineers got promoted ahead of him that he finally decided to go into a business venture. With his electrical engineering degree & practical skills, he put up his own Solar Panel Company called SunnyTec Solar. He has in his employ around 5 fulltime & 12 per project helpers & installers.
His work and services is known to be of superior quality at a very affordable price. He offers very affordable cash payment or flexible installment payment schemes where his fellow workers are given preferential treatment because he knows how difficult & tiring it is to be working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week then rotate on weekly shifts, often unable to sleep well or rest comfortably, not only because of the scorching heat & humidity but also the worry on how to pay the entailing electrical cost of air conditioning. Solar panels enable consumers harness the sun in generating electricity to power homes and its household appliances 24/7 an at the same time resell excess unused power generated to local power companies.
Lastly, during my stint at the Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), one of the crowd favorite card dealers was Michael Manalili or Phikes. He has the knack for making his turn to be enjoyable with witty and situational jokes that keep casino players awake even during wee hours or happy even if they are losing bets.
The baccarat tables were never the same when he migrated to the in 1996. Though he had a good life in California, having been employed in the gaming industry and had a patented casino game as well, but somehow, in August 2009, he decided that the Philippines, in particular Pampanga, is still his home.
That same year, he put up his own company SOLMIX Enterprises, selling industrial grade cleaning materials and whose showroom is across SM Telabastagan. He manufactures his own line of products through another company he put up known as Forem Manufacturing which is behind brands such as Cleanmate, Big Boss, Sabun De Kalidad & BeMore etc. There are 10 employees helping him run his business.
Aside from an employer, Phikes is also a sought after resource person on Workplace Safety & Best Practices in both private companies & public offices, academic institutions & social organizations as he is also the author of the book “Practical Behavioral Safety”.
Joenel, Joel & Phykes, who were hardworking employees and now small business owners, have shown true principled entrepreneurship because now that they have people depending on them, they are now focused more on the welfare of their employees & satisfaction of their customers more than their personal comfort o gain because they know if they provide consistent quality of service, competitive cost & after excellent after sales service, there will be repeat orders, customer referrals & service inquiries that redound to sustained operations that means continued livelihood for their employees and revenue for their business venture.
To all the hardworking employees, this is your day. Sometimes, good employees need to become employers themselves, to fully understand what is important to workers which is becoming good employers themselves.
GOOD MORNING HARDWORKING PEOPLE!For comments & suggestions, you may email author [email protected] & follow in Facebook Herrie Raymond Rivera.