Araw ng Manggagawa

Under the piercing glare of the sun and on heat-radiating asphalt, the Labor Day march and rally was an experience that has surely left a mark.  Not so much because I endured intense Manila heat, but because of thousands of others who also did in solidarity to get the message of the dignity of labor across to the law makers and the public. 

Balancing the interest of labor and the general cost of doing business is a constant balancing act. It is a tricky policy debate and as an economics graduate, I understand that rushing to conclusion without thorough analysis can only produce detrimental effects in the long run. I am all for security of tenure and I see the intention behind such push is clearly good however this should be viewed with other economic factors such as its effect on the volume of potential jobs, cost of goods, prices, and purchasing power. Further discourse must be ironed out on the immediate and long-term effects of the economy. But all this analysis should be in a framework that highly respects the inherent dignity of human labor over profit and capital. This I believe can only be achieved by constant study and discourse in government halls and/or on the streets.