SINGAPORE - The Philippines is perceived by foreign businessmen as Asia's most corrupt economy, according to a survey Tuesday that also found countries were failing properly to tackle corruption. Singapore…
Candidates from the “Genuine Opposition” held a rally at the Rizal Park in Davao City on Thursday. The candidates took turns lambasting the Arroyo government for its many shortcomings. According to analysts, the Genuine Opposition has to engage the administration Team Unity ticket in a meaningful debate. “People, not big business, should decide on content and conduct of the debate,” according to Ibon Foundation. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)
Strong Women. Because of the hard times, more and more Filipino women are forced to take on a more important role in the economy. This Davao woman decides to take the matter a step farther. (File photo by Barry Ohaylan/davaotoday.com)
Majority of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sent abroad are now women, and this highlights their increasingly vital role in ensuring their families’ survival, according to IBON Foundation.
Government figures reveal that some seven out of 10 OFWs who are deployed as new hires are women. Many of these women are hired in perilous jobs such as domestic helpers or entertainers, with only a small percentage of them working in professional categories such as medical professions.
Any wage hike results in increased purchasing power for workers. However, it can be anti-poor if it does not take into account the interests of those who are getting less and benefits those who are getting more. On the other hand, any mandated increase in the salary of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is done in the name of the almighty dollar.
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MANILA — Local businesses are in a position to grant wage hikes since workers have been producing more in the last seven years, according to independent think-tank IBON Foundation.
According to IBON research head Sonny Africa, labor productivity or the ratio of national output to employment, has been rising for the last decade. Between 1999 and 2006, labor productivity has increased by 56.3% in nominal terms and 13.1% in real terms.