Workers from University of Santo Tomas Philippines Rally Against Unjust Health Ordinance

Health workers, faculty, and non-teaching staff from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) took to the streets in protest against the Manila City Government’s Mandatory Health Permit Ordinance. The demonstrators voiced their disapproval of the ordinance, which mandates workers to obtain government-issued health permits to continue their employment. Their united front was bolstered by widespread support from various labor unions, educational institutions, and health organizations, all demanding the ordinance’s immediate repeal.

The Council of Teachers and Staff of Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (CoTeSCUP), representing unions from major educational institutions across Metro Manila, raised concerns about the ordinance’s fairness. They highlighted discrepancies in the ordinance’s application, noting that it exempts certain professional license holders while imposing requirements on other workers, undermining the principle of equal protection under the law and require careful re-evaluation.

The Ugnayang Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng UST Hospital (UNM-USTH) echoed these criticisms, labeling the ordinance as “redundant and unfair.” Richie Ronald Ignacio, a health worker from UNM-USTH, asserted, “This ordinance is redundant and unfair to workers. Ordinance 8793 should be scrapped!” He further stated, “Mayor Honey Lacuna, listen to the workers of UST Hospital. We will not bow down to an ordinance that overrides national law. This will not succeed.”

UNM-USTH also pointed out that most employers provide comprehensive annual physical exams for their employees at no charge. The additional requirement for a health permit not only seems redundant but also places an unjust financial burden on workers, forcing them to pay for an extra permit out of their own pockets.

The National Federation of Labor (NFL), an affiliate of UNI Global Union, voiced strong support for the protesting workers. NFL President Atty. General Du denounced the ordinance’s blanket drug testing as a severe invasion of privacy. The NFL emphasizes that according to law, testing must be reasonable, justified, and minimally invasive, with privacy rights being protected unless there is a clear and compelling legal basis for any intrusion. The NFL demanded that the City of Manila immediately reconsider the policy, aligning it with national laws and protecting workers’ rights and privacy.

Rajendra Acharya, UNI Asia & Pacific Regional Secretary, expressed solidarity with the workers, “UNI Global Union welcomes the strong stance taken by UST health workers, faculty, and staff against this unjust ordinance. We will continue to work closely with our affiliates to monitor the situation and ensure that the dignity and rights of our workers are constantly upheld.”

The rally’s unified call for fairness and justice resonated deeply, with workers demanding an urgent meeting with Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna to address their grievances.