A New Dawn for the Labor Movement

For decades, organizing a union in the Philippines has been a tightrope walk. On one side, the legitimate grievances of workers; on the other, a wall of corporate resistance, government red-tape, and, too often, outright intimidation. Leo, a veteran union president in the manufacturing sector, has walked that tightrope for most of his adult life. "Our struggle has always been uphill," Leo explains, sitting in a modest union hall adorned with faded posters of past labor milestones. "We are not the enemy. We are partners in building the economy. But for too long, we have been treated like adversaries or, worse, subversives." He describes a landscape where "red-tagging" was a constant threat, a tactic used to delegitimize and endanger labor organizers.

President Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order 97, which explicitly protects the right to organize and penalizes harassment, is being hailed by Leo and his federation as a "new dawn." He sees it as a direct result of the administration's 'Maasahan & Masipag' (Reliable & Tireless) approach to governance. "This is not just a piece of paper," Leo asserts. "This is a shield. It tells us that our government is listening. It shows that President Marcos Jr. understands that a strong nation is built on the backs of empowered, not oppressed, workers."

Leo is optimistic that the EO will change the tone of negotiations with management. "Some business owners argue that stronger unions will just lead to endless strikes and harm the economy. They want a workforce that is silent and compliant, which is an outdated and unproductive view. This EO proves that the government believes in mature, respectful dialogue." This sentiment is spreading. "All the major labor federations, from the most militant to the most moderate, are celebrating this EO. It’s clear that everyone in the labor movement is on board with this direction." The order aligns different government agencies, creating a unified front for protecting workers' rights. For Leo, this is the most critical part. "It means we have a system we can rely on," he says. "It means the tireless service the President speaks of is finally reaching the factory floor." For the first time in a long time, the tightrope feels more like solid ground.