More than 400 barangay health workers (BHWs) and private healthcare workers joined forces with labor groups on May Day, demanding living wages for all, the immediate release of Health Emergency Allowance (HEA), and the passage of the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers that guarantees the rights of BHWs in the Philippines.<\/p>\r\n
Myrna Gaite<\/strong>,\u00a0President of the BHW National Capital Region Federation, expressed the significance of this collective action, “Our voices cannot be ignored any longer. It’s high time BHWs receive the recognition, protection, and support they deserve through the enactment of a magna carta.”<\/p>\r\n The Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers is landmark legislation aimed at safeguarding the welfare and interests of hundreds of thousands of Filipino BHWs. The upcoming Senate Hearing on May 20 holds pivotal importance in determining the passage of this crucial bill, which will provide much-needed protection and recognition for the vital role BHWs play in community healthcare.<\/p>\r\n Meanwhile, private health workers continue to demand the immediate release of their HEA, amidst ongoing crackdown on union rights.\u00a0Jesus Obien<\/strong>,\u00a0President of Unified Filipino Service Workers (UFSW) and lead convenor of United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines (UPHUP), highlighted the alarming trend of harassment faced by union leaders in the healthcare sector, “The harassment and violence targeting union leaders in the healthcare sector are unacceptable. We must put an end to these attacks and ensure that workers’ rights are respected.”<\/p>\r\n Both private healthcare workers and BHWs continue to await the disbursement of their long-overdue HEA, despite the COVID-19 pandemic having concluded over a year ago.<\/p>\r\n