Fighting for the Filipino workers' rights: A history of the TUCP and party, 1975-2017

• 主要作者: Nicdao, Hans Alexander B
• 格式: text
• 語言: English
• 出版: Animo Repository 2025
• 主題: Labor unions > Philippines > History; Labor laws and legislation > Philippines; Trade Union Congress of the Philippines > History; Other History; Political History
• 在線閱讀: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdb_history/37
• 機構: De La Salle University

The famous Greek playwright Sophocles once declared, “Without labor, nothing prospers,” encapsulating the essential role that labor plays in society and the economy. Workers are not only indispensable to production, but they also form the backbone of economic development. When workers are empowered and their rights upheld, they contribute significantly to economic prosperity. Conversely, when they are exploited, underpaid, or denied basic rights, it can hinder company operations and even affect national stability. This thesis explores the evolution of labor unionism in the Philippines, focusing specifically on the rise and role of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and its political arm, the TUCP Party, within the socio-political and economic landscape from 1975 to 2017. The research employs the New Institutionalism framework, which emphasizes the role of institutions in shaping political behavior and social norms. This is combined with a descriptive-analytical method, enabling an in-depth study of historical labor conditions and contemporary union practices. Interviews with current and former TUCP leaders and legal experts enrich the findings, including insights from Congressman Mendoza and Attorneys Vince Camillon and Hernan Nicdao. Labor unionism in the Philippines has a long and tumultuous history. During the Spanish colonial era, Filipino workers were subjected to forced labor (polo), building structures such as churches and bridges with little or no compensation. Only Spanish officials and aristocrats were exempt due to their ability to pay tributes. Unfortunately, the system was heavily abused, and Filipino laborers suffered grave injustices. Under American rule , conditions did not improve significantly. Workers continued to experience low wages, unsafe environments, and insufficient rest. However, the early 1900s saw a surge in labor activism. In 1902, Isabelo de los Reyes established the Union Obrera Democratica Filipina (UODF), the country’s first labor union center. A year later, the Philippines celebrated its first Labor Day on May 1, with over 100,000 workers rallying for better pay, working conditions, rights, and an end to U.S. imperialism. After World War II, the Philippines faced widespread economic devastation. Factories and businesses had been destroyed, and workers endured the same poor labor conditions seen in the American era. The emergence of the Cold War led to the rise of communist and socialist labor organizations such as the PKP (Communist Party of the Philippines) and KMU (May First Movement). These groups gained support among workers but faced severe backlash from the government, including arrests and repression, especially during Martial Law under Ferdinand Marcos. It was within this context that the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) was born. Founded on December 14, 1975, by Roberto S. Oca and Democrito T. Mendoza, the TUCP aimed to unify union members across the country and protect them from political persecution. Unlike more militant labor organizations, the TUCP favored peaceful negotiations and collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) to resolve disputes. The TUCP stood for equal rights, fair wages, decent working conditions, and the reinforcement of the national labor movement. Recognizing the need for political representation, the TUCP established its party-list, the TUCP Party, on January 4, 2004. This followed earlier unsuccessful attempts in the 1998 and 2001 elections. The party aimed to give laborers a voice in Philippine Congress, where issues of employment, wage fairness, anti-contractualization, and consumer protection could be addressed legislatively. Despite the presence of agencies like the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), many labor issues persisted, highlighting the necessity for direct labor representation in national policy-making. The scope of this thesis is deliberately focused on the years 1975 to 2017, beginning with the foundation of the TUCP and ending one year into President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, following the TUCP Party's successful run in the 2016 elections. This time frame was chosen to track the union’s transformation from a grassroots labor movement into a political entity with legislative power, providing a unique lens through which to view institutional labor reform. However, the limitations of the study must be acknowledged. While the labor movement in the Philippines is broad and multifaceted, this thesis concentrates solely on the TUCP and TUCP Party. Numerous labor laws and initiatives not directly linked to the TUCP are excluded, as are developments beyond 2017. The interviews were also limited to a select number of individuals affiliated with the TUCP, with particular emphasis on the insights provided by Congressman Mendoza and key legal advisors. Additionally, while the TUCP Party has proposed many bills and resolutions over the years, not all of them relate strictly to labor issues. This study selectively analyzes relevant legislative efforts, rather than presenting an exhaustive discussion of the party’s entire political output. In conclusion, this thesis presents a historical and institutional analysis of labor unionism in the Philippines, particularly through the lens of the TUCP and its evolution into a political representative of labor. From colonial exploitation to post-war recovery, to active engagement in Congress, the story of the TUCP reflects both the challenges and triumphs of Filipino workers. The study reinforces the essential idea that for a nation to progress, its labor force must be protected, empowered, and given a voice in shaping its own future.