Workers deserve dignified retirement, especially those that have tirelessly worked for their career and family. No worker should spend their senior years worrying about their financial security, even after decades as part of the labor force. Yet, despite the contribution and sacrifices by employees for economic prosperity, many are unable to receive the benefits of their labor. Too many retirees have had their retirement benefits withheld and denied at the hands of irresponsible employers – both in the private and public sectors.
The National Alliance of Broadcast Unions – Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (NABU-SENTRO) strongly condemns the fact that 131 retired IBC 13 employees have yet to receive their retirement benefits for their service from 1982-2019. We echo the request of the IBC management for the government to commit 346 million pesos for the company’s retirees.
To continue to delay the payment of the retirement benefits is an unacceptable injustice to our media workers. Many have already died before receiving the benefits of their work. Many more are struggling today, especially with the continuous impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. We cannot sit idly by as former media workers, whose jobs had them bring injustices to light, are suffering in silence.
NABU-SENTRO calls on all lawmakers to incorporate the retirement benefits of the IBC 13 retirees to the 2022 national budget. Both chambers of Congress must ensure that the 346 million pesos needed by the retired media workers is inserted into the final budget. Our legislators should no longer tolerate the plight of these workers, especially when they have the power to correct this injustice.
Justice for IBC retirees! Retirement Benefits now!
Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa Progresibong Manggagawa 