Are the richest Filipinos also good employers?

The Forbes Asia Magazine reported that the 40 richest Filipinos in 2012 increased their wealth by US $13 billion in the last 12 months, or a very impressive gain of more than one billion US dollars every month. The combined wealth of these taipans, moguls, tycoons and magnates have reached an unprecedented US$ 47.4 billion.  There are now 15 US dollar billionaires in our country. By all appearances, and by all standards, that was indeed an impressive achievement. It would appear then that these highly successful business barons have made a killing out of the remittance-driven Philippine economy, which, in the last twelve months outperformed most Asian countries in terms of economic growth.

Such outstanding economic performance of this labor-excess economy was driven not by gross domestic products or by extraordinary financial acumen of our economic managers but by the sheer industry, hard work and sacrifices of 12 million Filipinos who work in 200 countries all over the world. These modern-day living heroes faithfully remit no less than US$20 billion every year. It is their money that are used to buy goods from the malls and supermarts of the 40 richest men, to construct houses that keep alive the country’s construction industry and keep the banks and financial intermediaries alive and highly active.

The richest man in the Philippines and number 116 among the world’s wealthiest is Henry Sy, the man who wishes to put up a Shoe Mart in every town, city, and province and a Hypermart in every  nook and cranny of this nation of 100 million people, transforming ricefields into malls and uprooting trees and overhauling the environment, causing traffic problems  and controlling the spaces for branded products. In the last 12 months, Sy increased his wealth from 7.2 to 9.1 billion or a whopping 1.9 billion in 12 months. That is a performance that deserves our respect and recognition. But the question is: Is Mr. Sy a good employer?  We are not going to prejudge him. There is a process to generate the truth. He enjoys the presumption of regularity. 

Next is Lucio Tan, tobacco magnate, liquor tycoon, owner of both Allied Bank and Philippine National Bank. He sold 49% of PAL to San Miguel Corporation. His profile as an employer is quite colorful. He wins his cases left and right. He has the best of lawyers. Like Mr. Sy and the other taipans, Mr. Tan is close to the powers that be. Well, there is nothing wrong with that. That is plain good public relations. But then again, how is Mr. Tan as an employer? We are not competent to pass judgment on him on this. His employees are the best witnesses and the terms and conditions of their employment  are the best evidence by which to determine how he fares along this line.

Mr. Enrique Razon of the container terminal business increased his wealth from US$1.6 billion to US$3.6 billion in 12 months. Since the container business is labor-intensive, how did this tycoon pay his workers in the piers? John Gokongwei has a net worth of US$ 3.2 billion, David Consunji of that giant construction firm has US$2.3 billion. Ayala has US$2.28 billion and Danding Cojuangco US$1.48 billion. How do these moguls take care of their workers? Are they mindful of their wages and labor standards? How about the workers’ job security, and their basic rights as human beings and as workers? Do these employers mind their workers’ health, safety and welfare? We are not accusing. Just asking.

Are the sales girls in the malls enjoying job security?  How about the construction workers and the laborers in the port areas? Are they allowed to exercise their right to self-organization, collective bargaining and peaceful concerted activity for redress of legitimate grievances? In case of sickness, disability and death, what safety nets are covering their families? Do the billionaire employers help them cope with the rising cost of living, with the high cost of medical care and education, and housing? We know that San Miguel and PAL employees are enjoying very good benefits. How about the workers of the other billionaires? We honestly don’t know. 

It is not for this column to judge. It is not a crime to be extremely wealthy. As to whether they are good employers, their workers are the most competent witness to testify on that. And the truth is there for all of us to discover. The Forbes Asia Magazine should look at these tycoons not just as businessmen but as employers and their firms as corporate citizens. By then, we shall have discovered who they really are.