Construction Workers Solidarity Party-List: Exceptional Public Service for Construction Workers and Beyond | by Angel G., Correspondent | In 1987, the Philippines implemented a party-list system, which allowed for greater representation in the national assembly. The constitution, which supports a nonviolent and popular rebellion known as People Power, is a by-product of the late former Philippine ruler, Ferdinand Marcos. In the House of Representatives, our country’s constitution provides for democratic party-list representation.
A party’s representation should not be taken lightly, as they make a significant contribution to our national government. The existence of party-list groups can exercise their influence collectively, and the constitution requires one-fifth of the House of Representative members to come from diverse party-list groupings. The goals and advocacies of the many groups range from encouraging worker welfare to assisting poor Filipino families, and from youth empowerment to elder care.
In the ongoing national campaign against Covid-19, social media platforms have been the key source of information and communication for the majority. The general people, particularly the poor, is looking for and requesting support from the organizations and political leaders for whom they supported in the country’s most recent election. CWS Party-List, or Construction Workers Solidarity Party List, is one of these dependable party-list organizations.
The Construction Workers Solidarity Party List was founded with the goal of assisting and protecting construction workers by ensuring that they are treated equitably and that their needs are addressed and answered by their employers and the government, which covers all construction-related concerns.
In 2020, hundreds of laborers and construction workers were stuck at construction sites and barracks as a result of a national directive for a hard lockdown. Therefore, a vast majority of construction workers and laborers were subjected to lockdowns. Sadly, the majority of them came from the provinces and were unable to return home due to our national government’s directive to remain within the home and other dwelling places. Local governments have received limited budget assistance since the pandemic began, owing to economic restrictions.
At the height of the pandemic’s lockdowns in the National Capital Region, CWS Party List assisted workers in the areas of Tanza and Imus in Cavite, Ugong in Valenzuela City; Las Pinas City; Malate, Manila; Tabacalera, Pateros; Quirino Highway in Quezon City; Daan Tubo in UP Diliman Campus; Bangkal in Makati, Guerilla Street in Marikina City; Cagayan De Oro City; and those stranded between Grand Westside Hotel, Solaire, Grand Westside, and many more. This is apart from all the other types of assistance that CWS Party List has done for various people and LGUs nationwide.
As a working Filipino, a construction worker is among the under-employed, and underpaid workers in the country, among other laborers. Besides having one of the most difficult jobs around. Some of these workers sleep on the frigid floors of their barracks, with even just carton boxes serving as covers to at least reduce the discomfort of the cold and hard cement floors, with no fans, and no television.
However, the most common sacrifice they face is homesickness from being away from their family, especially during times of uncertainty like the global epidemic. In comparison to office workers, they must be physically present at work and sacrifice time away from their families in order to have food served to them.
Construction Workers Solidarity Party List or CWS Party List will be more active in ensuring the welfare of skilled construction workers in the Philippines, who have been some of the downtrodden class for decades. CWS Part List vows to continue with the “Build, Build, Build !” program of DPWH Secretary Mark Villar so its economic ripples will continue in the provinces in the years to come.
