Philippine Labor Unions

Professor John T. Dunlop remarked that it was unlikely, but not impossible, for a developing country to have a free trade union. He stated that in industrializations managed by the elites, a free union won’t usually be allowed. The Philippines was, apparently, an exception to this generalization. A free labor movement or union is defined as “a movement which is independent of formal or informal control by either the government or a political party.” (Carroll)

Previously mentioned was the Union Obrera Democratica Filipina started by Isabelo delos Reyes. Clearly, it was difficult for such unions to last since he had actually been arrested. According to an article by John J. Carroll, The Union Obrera Democratica Filipina was reorganized under the new title “Unión Obrera Democrática de Filipinas” by a surgeon who served in the Spanish Army, namely Dr. Dominador Gomez. They called for many things, mainly concerning workers’ rights, and attempted some strikes, but eventually, the union was dissolved without them ever being able to become a strong force. The actions taken against them were done more because of concerns about their political activity than concerns about violations of the Spanish penal code. Eventually, in 1903, Governor Taft even approved the constitution of “Unión del Trabajo de Filipinas”. The constitution of this union called for regular dues, salaried officers, welfare benefits, and strike funds.

According to that same article, under former president Manuel L. Quezon’s leadership, an eight-hour labor law was included, as well as the extension of workers’ compensation. Members of what was called “legitimate labor unions” also gained legal protection. For a union to be considered legitimate, they had to register for it. To successfully register, their activities had to be investigated. If deemed subversive, their registration would be denied. Disputes that were likely to cause strikes were also arbitrated, and this would go on until 1953.

Moving on to another article entitled “A history of trade unionism in the Philippines”. According to that article, in an effort to quell the workers' mounting opposition to government repression and attacks by capitalism, the government established the Industrial Peace Act (Republic Act No. 875) in 1953. This promoted collective bargaining and secured the right to establish unions. Additionally, it promoted conciliation and mediation as novel techniques to conflict resolution. This protest was backed and even financially supported by US imperialism and bourgeois institutions.

Employees are forced to deal with the bureaucracy of union organizations as a result of the collective bargaining process, which also directs their disputes into fights over government conciliation and mediation. The capitalist state's measures were hailed by unions on both the right and the left as a "victory" for the workers' struggle. The Filipino working class is further divided as a result of the intense battle between union federations for collective bargaining rights. According to the article, “The number of unionized workers increased, and the more they were unionized the more they were divided.”

At a time when the Philippines were plainly dominated by the United States, the Workers' Party (Lapiang Manggagawa) was established in 1963 by survivors of the outlawed communist party and a number of the largest labor unions in the country.

On the other hand, unions led by Democrito Mendoza’s Philippine Labor Center (PLC) supported the one-union, one-industry arrangement. Conflicts between unions and within the workforce have increased as a result. The PLC was internally divided into factions and as a result, the Pinagbuklod na Manggagawang Pilipino (PMP) which was led by Roberto S. Oca Sr. and Mendoza-led Philippine Congress of Trade Unions (PHILCONTU) were both established.

As seen from this information, while the Philippines was an apparent exception to the generalization that it was unlikely, but not impossible, for a developing country to have a free trade union, they struggled to flourish for a long period of time because of the involvement of the authorities.