• Brothers and sisters from the trade unions, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and its affiliates;
• Esteemed clergy and faithful of the Philippine Independent Church;
• Ladies and gentlemen, magandang umaga (good morning)!

Greetings of solidarity! Your Family living wages forum-consultation is very relevant.

Global labour markets are deteriorating, according to the International Labour Organization's (ILO) recent Monitor.

Multiple economic and political issues, including the COVID-19 and the Ukraine conflict, affect employment creation and quality. Rising inflation is causing a decline in real wages in many countries.

Social dialogue is crucial for creating policies and combating the impact of multiple crises on the labour market. Policy options include strengthening income security through social protection, increasing income support to maintain the purchasing power of labour income, and targeting support to the most vulnerable people and enterprises.

Wage adjustments, including raising minimum wages and using collective bargaining will help prevent more people from falling into poverty and food insecurity.

Recently, trade unions have united and crafted a 15-point Labour Agenda. In the next five years, the agenda will focus on freedom of association, security of tenure, job creation, social protection, and wages. This forum-consultation is just the first of many wage forums planned to support the Labour Agenda.

This forum-consultation is also crucial because it will contribute to further innovative and creative discussions on how government, workers and employers, in the spirit of tripartism, social dialogue and industrial democracy, can join forces to find ways to improve the socioeconomic lot of workers and ensure business recovery given multiple crises and challenges.

This is line with the Decent Work Country Programme of the Philippines and the Global Call to Action for a human-centred recovery from the COVID-19 crisis that is inclusive, sustainable and resilient.

We count on you to make this a reality and ensure that no one is left behind as we create a better future of work.

Thank you! I wish you a successful and meaningful