Cebu, Philippines – March 25 to April 14, 2025

The Young Christian Workers (YCW) Philippines conducted a field mission in Cebu to strengthen its base groups, develop new leaders, and deepen the organizing work among young workers. The visit comes at a critical time as Cebu’s young workers face worsening poverty, job insecurity, and exploitation.

YCW Cebu has been identified as a priority area for organizing because of the serious challenges confronting its base groups. Many young members have stopped participating, often due to full-time work, family duties, or migration in search of better opportunities elsewhere. The last national visit to Cebu was in 2023, and this recent mission aimed to revive the groups and refocus on leadership development.

Young Workers in Cebu: Exploited and Struggling

Cebu’s economy may be booming, with industries such as BPOs, tourism, and manufacturing, but young workers continue to face challenges. Most jobs in economic zones offer only low wages, long working hours, and no security due to rampant contractualization. In rural areas like Candulawan and Kabankalan, many young people work as habal-habal drivers, construction workers, handicraft makers, or in small eateries—earning barely enough to survive. Informal workers have no social protection, no benefits, and no safety nets in case of accidents or sickness.

Worse, poverty forces some young people to take desperate measures just to find work, while others fall victim to the illegal drug trade, which continues to plague their communities. Many families live in overcrowded housing with poor sanitation, making them vulnerable to disease and disasters.

Organizing for Change

Despite the challenges, the YCW National Team Secretariat and with the assistance of the IYCW-ASPAC Coordinator, along with former members and collaborators, launched house visits, workplace visits, and group meetings in Candulawan, Kabankalan, and nearby Muhon. These efforts aimed to reach new young people, introduce YCW’s mission, and encourage collective action to address their issues. Some former members offered support but emphasized the need for stronger commitment and new leaders who can push the work forward.

The team also held a Basic Orientation Course in Naga City, attended by around 35 young workers from different sectors—call center agents, riders, construction workers, salesclerks, and working students. They shared their struggles: illegal deductions, abusive manpower agencies, low pay, and lack of benefits. The group discussed how YCW’s See-Judge-Act method can help analyze their reality and plan collective actions.

Voices from the Ground

Enen, a habal-habal driver, struggles to provide for his family on daily earnings of ₱200-₱300. Myla, a young mother, was forced to quit her call center job because of childcare duties. Jason, a delivery rider, worries about accidents since he has no insurance or benefits. Anafe, unemployed, feels hopeless without a diploma. Warren suffers from illegal salary deductions at his job through a manpower agency. Carrien left her restaurant job due to abusive conditions. Jamaica weaves folding beds—a traditional craft that no longer provides a decent living.

These stories are just a few examples of the daily hardships young workers in Cebu face. But they also reflect the urgency for action. The YCW mission called for continuing outreach, organizing, and advocacy to demand higher wages, secure jobs, and government support for informal workers. The field mission team stressed that only through unity, education, and collective struggle can young workers change their conditions.

The Call to Action

The mission concluded with renewed plans to build stronger base groups, develop young leaders, and prepare for national and international YCW gatherings. The group called on all young workers:

“Let us unite, organize, and fight for our rights! Together, we can build a future where young workers are respected, protected, and empowered.”

 by : John Brian Geronimo