Labor group questions NEDA's Cha-cha stance

THE Nagkaisa Labor Coalition questioned the advocacy of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for Charter change (Cha-cha).

In a statement on Saturday, it said: “Nagkaisa raises pertinent questions about NEDA’s advocacy for Cha-cha as a mechanism to enhance competitiveness by removing perceived ‘unnecessary’ restrictions. This stance diverges from the immediate needs of Filipino workers and undermines the urgency of addressing prevailing economic disparities.”

“Nagkaisa emphasizes the distraction posed by the ongoing debate on Charter change, underscoring the imperative for tangible actions to alleviate the challenges faced by the labor force,” its member organizations added.

Also, the coalition pointed out that while NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan “champions” Charter change as a “strategy to bolster competitiveness,” it noted the absence of reforms in the NEDA’s Philippine Development Plan.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

“Furthermore, Nagkaisa expresses disappointment over NEDA’s alignment with employer groups, including [the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines or ECOP] and [the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry or PCCI] in consistently opposing wage hike proposals,” it said.

“This discrepancy prompts scrutiny into the prioritization of policies with potential long-term implications over immediate measures, for instance, wage increases, which directly impact the quality of life for millions of Filipinos,” Nagkaisa added.