Villar advocates non-wage benefits for labor

Nacionalista Party President Senator Manny Villar today pledged to push in the Senate the provision of non-wage benefits for workers to help them cope during the present global economic crisis.

"Para sa akin, makatwiran ang hinihingi ng mga manggagawa... Maganda rin itong maibigay sa kanila bilang kapalit ng pagpapaliban sa dagdag na sweldo," Villar said.

Villar made this commitment as the nation celebrates Labor Day, adding that government, for its part, should make sure that such move be made possible so as to make this celebration even more significant to the labor sector.

"Alam naman natin na maraming negosyante ang apektado ng krisis kaya nararapat lamang ngayon ang non-wage benefits na siyang hiniling ng ilang samahan ng manggagawa," Villar explained.

According to Villar, among the possible non-wage benefits that government could extend to workers are: moratorium on tuition fee and house rent increase; low interest rate for housing loans, scholarship for children of laid-off workers, discount vouchers that may be used in basic services, provision for food and transport assistance and moratorium on government loan payments.

Villar also cited that government financial institutions and state agencies engaged in trainings and livelihood should consider opening emergency loans as well as entrepreneurship trainings and capital assistance to small and cottage businesses.

"The government, at all times, must grant and fight for labor's requests. It is the greatest of social justice. It is a commitment," Villar added.