A Case Study of Labor Unionism in the CALABARZON

Abstract

The Project CALABARZON is one of the most important development strategies of the government. According to its proponents, the said project would be very beneficial, not just to the government and to the capitalists that would invest in the region, but also to the its residents and the people living in the surrounding areas and provinces. These people would not only benefit from the various infrastructure projects that this undertaking would entail but also to the thousands of jobs that it would create. True enough, a lot of people were able to land jobs that would support their daily subsistence. However, as shown and as proven by history, the inherent contradiction between the interests of the capitalists and the workers proved detrimental to the noble goals of the project. Seeing that the union of workers is a big stumbling block to their interests, the capitalists devised ways and tactics to suppress the labor movement in the CALABARZON. Furthermore, in its quest to attract foreign investors in the country, the government legislated laws and policies that would give concessions to prospective investors, at the expense of the labor movement. With the efforts of the government and the capitalists combined, it is now a question of survival for the labor unions.