On January 26, 2025, the Metro Manila region of YCW Philippines conducted a simultaneous dual formation session at Punturin, Valenzuela City. The event gathered 30 young workers from diverse sectors, including factory workers, contractual laborers, event organizers, self-employed individuals, working students, unemployed youth, and students.

The session was divided into two groups to address different themes and priorities.

Group 1: Introduction to YCW and Dream Realization

The first group, led by Angel Galicano, the current National Treasurer of YCW Philippines, focused on introducing YCW to new contacts and young people willing to be initiated into the movement. Participants shared their dreams, and current realities, and discussed whether their aspirations were achievable or required further steps to make them realistic.

One participant, CJ, shared his story:

            "My name is CJ. I am a working student, and during my free time, I help my family with our small business. I dream of someday becoming a cameraman, shooting special events like weddings and birthday parties. This dream aligns with my family's business."

During the orientation, Angel emphasized YCW’s role as a bridge between young workers' realities and their dreams. She explained how the ROLWA method (Review of Life and Work Action) evaluates one’s current situation and determines the necessary steps—whether individual or collective—to achieve one's goals.

Angel also highlighted that YCW is a space for collective value and sharing among people of different faiths, colors, genders, nationalities, or religions. She clarified that while YCW welcomes diverse spiritual perspectives, the focus is not religious but rather on young workers' shared dignity and collective experiences.

Group 2: Know Your Rights as Workers

The second group was facilitated by John Brian Geronimo, one of the IYCW-ASPAC Coordinators.  Most of the participants in this group are contractual workers from different factories in Lawang Bato, Malanday, and Caloocan. Some of the participants work in the gig economy like the Angkas Motorcycle riding application. The discussion centered on the topic “Know Your Rights as Workers.” The discussion explored three main themes:

1. Rights to Work: The right to engage in productive employment without discrimination, as articulated in the United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, particularly Article 23(1), which states: "Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work, and protection against unemployment."
2. Rights of Work: These include fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to form unions. These rights are protected under various human rights conventions and national laws.
3. Rights at Work: Participants learned about specific entitlements, such as overtime pay, paid rest days, holiday pay, night shift differential, 13th-month pay, retirement benefits, sick leave, social security, and the standard eight-hour workday with weekly rest periods.

One of the participants shared his experience:

            “My name is Eman, and I have been working as a production worker in the 3J Plastic Factory for almost two years. I work 12 hours a day, but the company does not pay for the 4 hours of overtime. We also do not receive any benefits such as sick leave or holiday pay. When there is a shift change, we sometimes must work for 24 hours straight, yet we are only paid for regular hours. Working such long hours is extremely exhausting, especially knowing that I am not being compensated fairly. Unfortunately, I cannot complain because most of us are contractual workers, and we are afraid of losing our jobs.”

Another young woman shared her thoughts:

            "My name is Marie, and I didn’t realize that many of these rights apply to me. This discussion has been eye-opening and has motivated me to stand up not only for myself but also for others."

John Brian encouraged participants to act if their rights were violated. He proposed three potential courses of action:

1. File a labor case against the employer.
2. Join YCW to be part of an organized movement advocating for workers’ rights.
3. Organize a trade union or form an association to collectively push for better working conditions.

The simultaneous formation session fostered awareness and empower participants by equipping them with knowledge and tools to address their realities. Both groups left with a stronger sense of community and motivation to take actionable steps toward achieving their dreams and asserting their rights as workers. They are also planning to start to contact and organize young workers where they work to form their group.