MANILA, Philippines — Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen called on public sector unions to lead the fight for accountability and social justice, saying government workers must use their collective voice to strengthen public service and protect the vulnerable.
Speaking at the oath-taking of the newly elected officers of the Social Workers Employees Association of the Philippines (SWEAP), Leonen stressed that while government employees have the constitutional right to organize, they cannot legally strike, making dialogue, advocacy and negotiation their strongest tools.
“A public sector union that does not speak has disarmed itself,” Leonen said, warning that silence is equivalent to surrender because public sector unions cannot withhold their labor to press their demands.
He said government unions should go beyond seeking employee benefits and instead champion three key responsibilities: protecting workers’ welfare, ensuring accountability, and advancing social justice.
Leonen stressed that fair compensation, safe workplaces, manageable workloads and security of tenure enable social workers and other public servants to better serve poor and vulnerable Filipinos.
