CAUAYAN CITY – The IBON Foundation has expressed strong opposition to proposals that would reduce the number of national holidays in the Philippines.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo Cauayan, Sonny Africa, Executive Director of IBON Foundation, emphasized that the Philippines ranks among the countries with the worst work-life balance in the world.
He pointed out that many Filipino employees work excessively long hours for minimal wages, with holidays being one of the few opportunities for them to rest and spend time with their families.
Africa warned that reducing the number of holidays could further harm the competitiveness of workers, who are already overworked, often enduring daily overtime.
He argued that holidays are essential for maintaining productivity and should not be reduced.
Africa also criticized the senators pushing for the proposal, noting that many of them come from privileged backgrounds and may not fully understand the hardships faced by ordinary workers.
He urged lawmakers not to deprive workers of the much-needed rest they require to return to work more productively. He called on politicians to shift their perspective from focusing solely on profits and catering to foreign investors, and instead prioritize the welfare of Filipino workers.
The IBON Foundation hopes that the government will cease viewing workers as mere commodities for profit, especially by foreign companies, and instead recognize them as essential partners in business, contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth.