Two days ago, as we marked Labor Day, we honored the perseverance and dignity of Filipino workers. But beyond the ceremonies and tributes, we must confront a more enduring challenge: The unfinished business of equity in the workplace — especially for women.

Over the years, we have made undeniable progress. The Expanded Maternity Leave Law (Republic Act 11210), passed in 2019, grants mothers 105 days of paid leave — a crucial step in recognizing the health and caregiving burdens women disproportionately carry. This law didn’t just extend the time off, it affirmed that motherhood is not a professional liability but a societal asset.

Yet one law, no matter how groundbreaking, cannot dismantle the systemic inequality on its own. Women in the Philippines still earn less than their male counterparts for equal work. The gender pay gap is not a relic of the past — it is a daily reality that undermines the ambitions, dignity, and financial security of millions of women.

To close this gap, we need more than legislation — we need enforcement. We need industries held accountable, wage audits made routine, and penalties imposed for violations. Fair pay cannot be optional; it must be the baseline.

The situation is even more urgent for single mothers — many of whom are forced to choose between a paycheck and their child’s well-being. They need more than sympathy; they need structural support.

Accessible childcare, flexible work arrangements, and protected parental leave must be seen not as perks, but as essentials. No parent should have to choose between being present for their child and putting food on the table.

As we continue to uplift the workforce, we must also confront the less visible — but no less damaging — forms of discrimination that women face. Harassment, toxic work cultures, and gender-based violence still plague too many workplaces. The Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313) was a bold legislative response, but laws are only as powerful as our will to implement them.

Changing policies is only half the battle; we must also change mindsets. Workplace equality requires cultural transformation — one driven by education, accountability, and unrelenting advocacy.

Labor Day is not only a time to celebrate workers’ contributions, but to recommit ourselves to their protection. Let us demand labor reforms that are comprehensive, compassionate, and grounded in the lived realities of Filipino women. They do not ask for special treatment — only a fair shot.

It’s time we delivered on that promise.

Let us strive for a future where every Filipino — regardless of gender or circumstance — can thrive in a workplace that sees them, supports them, and stands up for them. Only then can we truly say we honor the labor that builds our nation.

Ad meliora — toward better things, always.