Home News Filipinos want improved transport policies and worker protection, new global poll reveals

Filipinos want improved transport policies and worker protection, new global poll reveals

A recent international survey has revealed that Filipinos are at the forefront of global demands for enhanced transport policies and stronger worker protections.

The 2024 International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Global Poll, which surveyed over 16,000 individuals across 15 countries, highlights significant concerns among Filipinos regarding government performance, cost of living, safety, and climate change in relation to the transport sector.

Key Findings

  1. Government Performance: 55% of Filipino respondents believe their government is mishandling transport issues, marking a 10% increase from 2022.
  2. Cost of Living: The Philippines ranks among the top three countries most concerned about transport-related costs, with 89% worried about rising fuel prices and 85% about overall transport expenses.
  3. Safety Concerns: 78% of Filipinos express worry about how displacement and job cuts in the transport sector may impact passenger safety. Additionally, 69% are apprehensive about the risks associated with autonomous vehicles.
  4. Climate Change: 83% of respondents are concerned about the impact of transport emissions on climate change, indicating a strong desire for sustainable solutions.
  5. Worker Rights: Filipinos show overwhelming support for policies protecting transport workers from abuse (92%) and ensuring workplace safety (93%). Meanwhile, a large majority of Filipinos also strongly support the right to join a union (82%), collective bargaining (89%), and a decent minimum wage (91%).
  6. Civil Liberties: The Philippines is among the top three countries most concerned about restrictions on free speech, the right to protest, and workers’ right to strike.

Positive Recognition

Filipinos lead globally in recognizing the critical importance of transport for:

  • Coping with emergencies (95%)
  • Connecting rural communities (94%)
  • National identity (88%)
  • Acting on climate change (90%)

PISTON National President and Makabayan senatorial candidate Mody Floranda commented on the findings: “The strong public support for progressive, patriotic, and pro-people transport policies mandates appropriate action and national plans from current government officials and those aspiring for office in the upcoming elections.”

Floranda added, “Unlike prevalent policies such as Marcos’ bogus and fraudulent modernization program that only benefits foreigners and big businesses while further burdening Filipino citizens.”

This poll underscores the urgent need for the Philippine government to prioritize comprehensive and sustainable transport policies that address citizen concerns while upholding workers’ rights.

“It is clear that corporate-driven and foreign-oriented programs like the PTMP do not address the needs of the people. And we know that we have the public support, as 55% of Filipinos believe that the Marcos regime’s management of the transportation sector is not good, and 82% believe that unionized and organized transport workers play a significant role in changing these flawed policies,” said Floranda. 

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