THE PHILIPPINES’ rise as one of the world’s fastest growing economies under its current administration is dimmed by the fact that it remains one of Asia’s most unequal societies…

…One of the campaign issues emblematic of the growth disparity is the matter of labour contractualisation – the widespread use of short-term and unprotected temporary work arrangements that according the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines is affecting 35 million of the country’s 67.1 million workers…

Contractualisation…has denied millions of workers labour protections and benefits reserved for regular employment…The contractualisation of work that qualifies for regular employment has become the Philippines’ own version of poverty-level “race to bottom” wage and benefit policies in neighbouring countries…

…The biggest challenge for the next president is to ensure that the benefits of economic progress are broadly shared…

…The next chapter in the story of the Philippines’ economic ascent should include a major push for improved labour rights protection and complementing growth with truly productive and decent employment that will take the working class out of poverty and allow them to have their fair share of the pie.