"We challenge
the senatorial candidates of both the administration and opposition
to debate on the concerns of women. The debate cannot simply focus
on whether the economy is getting better or not. It must center on
the question whether the workers and the poor benefit from economic
growth," said PM's Judy Miranda in a press statement."Economic
growth is the narrow concern of capitalists who are sponsoring the
March 14 debate among senatorial bets. Social justice is the broader
issue that concerns the workers and women. We do not care if they
hold the debate in Manila Hotel or Plaza Miranda. But we do care if
they will talk about increasing wages, ending contractualization,
and providing health care," she said.
Miranda said candidates should talk about their positions on
raising more taxes, on ratifying the Japan-Philippines Economic
Partnership Agreement, and amendment of the Labor Code.
She pointed out that while poverty and hunger were problems of
the masses in general, working and poor women bore the greater
burden of making ends meet so that their families could survive.
Labor statistics for 2006 show that of the 35.7 million work
force, about a third or some 12.8 million are employed women.
Partido ng Manggagawa said it would advocate the following
platform for working and poor women: decent wages, regular jobs,
cheap housing, health services, and welfare for children.
( www.inquirer.net )
