Fairwork project hosts visitors from Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg

What should labor platforms change to make work conditions better?

This was among the many questions addressed during a visit to DLSU by faculty and students of the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg on February 15. 

Dr. Boris Michel, professor of Digital Geography of the University’s Institute for Geoscience and Geography, and research associate Michael Keizers led a group of 20 students from both the Bachelor and Master levels to meet with experts from politics, academia and civil society and discuss urban geography and urban development in Metro Manila.

Specifically, they expressed interest in the Social Development Research Center study “Fairwork Philippines: Towards Fair Labor Conditions in the Philippine Platform Economy,” headed by Department of Communication professor Dr. Cheryll Ruth Soriano. 

The study, now completing its second year, examines whether labor platforms operating in the Philippines facilitate fair labor arrangements for workers and in what ways, while also interrogating the glocal conditions and labor regimes that give rise to them and that surround their future viability. Soriano was joined by Fairwork project manager Margreta Medina during the presentation on the study.

The group discussed with members of the National Union of Food Delivery Riders (RIDERS-SENTRO), national spokesperson John Jay Chan, and organizers Mary Rose Evardone from San Fernando and Mark Larson from Angeles, Pampanga. 

DLSU College of Liberal Arts Assistant Dean for External Affairs and Lasallian Mission Dr. Jose Victor Jimenez and SDRC Director Dr. Homer Yabut welcomed the participants and expressed interest in future collaborations with the research group.