# Kamanggagawa

Kampihan ng mga Maralita at Manggagawa (English: Alliance of the Poor and Workers), commonly referred to as Kamanggagawa (lit. 'Co-workers' or 'Fellow workers'), is a political party in the Philippines dedicated to advocating for workers' rights and comprehensive labor reforms. Founded in 2024, the party is chaired by Alex S. Arellano and focuses on addressing wage inequality and promoting economic justice for marginalized sectors, particularly workers and the urban poor.

## History

Kamanggagawa originally operated under the name Alternatiba Partylist, a political organization focused on environmental and social justice issues. In preparation for the 2025 midterm elections, the group rebranded itself as Kamanggagawa, shifting its focus to labor rights and wage reforms. The name change reflects the party's renewed commitment to representing workers and advocating for the abolition of the provincial wage rate system, which it argues perpetuates economic inequality.

## Ideology

Kamanggagawa's ideology is rooted in left-wing politics, with a strong emphasis on social justice, economic equality, and the empowerment of marginalized sectors. The party's core principles include:
* Labor Rights: Kamanggagawa advocates for the protection and expansion of workers' rights, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to unionize. The party believes that workers are the backbone of the economy and deserve equitable treatment.
* Economic Equality: The party seeks to address systemic economic inequality by pushing for progressive policies, such as the abolition of the provincial wage rate system and the implementation of a living wage.
* Social Justice: Kamanggagawa is committed to fighting discrimination and inequality, particularly for marginalized groups such as informal sector workers, women, and rural communities.
* Grassroots Empowerment: The party emphasizes the importance of grassroots organizing and community involvement in shaping policies and advocating for change.

## Platform and Advocacy

Kamanggagawa's platform centers on two primary advocacy points:

### Abolition of Provincial Wage Rates

The party seeks to eliminate the provincial wage rate system, which sets lower minimum wages for workers outside urban centers. Kamanggagawa argues that the cost of living in many provincial areas is comparable to, or even higher than, that of urban centers, making the current wage structure unfair to provincial workers. The party contends that this system exacerbates poverty and inequality, particularly in rural regions.

### Implementation of a Living Wage

Kamanggagawa advocates for a minimum daily wage exceeding ₱1,000, which it argues is necessary to meet the actual cost of living in the Philippines. This proposal is supported by research from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the IBON Foundation, which indicate that current wage levels fall short of addressing the economic needs of Filipino workers.

## Leadership

Kamanggagawa is currently led by Alex S. Arellano as its chairperson.

## Electoral history

Kamanggagawa is set to participate in the 2025 Philippine House of Representatives elections through the party-list system, which allows underrepresented sectors to gain representation in the Philippine Congress. On October 1, 2024, political content creator Eli San Fernando filed his Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) as the first nominee of the Kamanggagawa party list, marking the party's formal entry into the electoral arena.