Scrap the National ID Scheme!

April 20. 2005
The millions of workers who have to struggle with the daily hazards of low wages and intolerable working conditions and policies simply have no time much less the patience to lend credence to the implementation of a national ID system.

The National ID system will not combat terrorism. It will take more than a laminated card, which workers will have to pay for in the first place to address the continued disaffection of segments of the population. Government must look at its policies – from how it treats its workforce, to how it engages the Moro community and act accordingly to their interests. What is needed is a drastic and wide-ranging overhaul of government policies that continue to gear the economy towards the dictates of big business and capitalists.

Our agencies already have various identification cards in place for accessing social services. What is needed is not a centralized ID prone to abuse because it could be used to monitor people's actions and invade citizens' privacy. What is needed is the actual delivery of much-needed social services. This is so obvious one is tempted to think twice about government's true motivations about madly pursuing the ID system in the first place.

Instead of wasting billions of pesos into a system which will never be guarded against counterfeiting and forgery, as there is no such thing as a fool-proof ID system, why not channel these much-needed resources into better use?

Again we reiterate our apprehension against the ID system as a means by which government will only act as an unwanted Big Brother watching over workers' backs and watching every step as the sector fights its battles for higher wages, job security, the right to self-organization, collective bargaining and the right to strike. The ID system, once in place will be used to scrutinize union activities, keep an eye on leaders and members. What will come after the ID system? Will unionists be tagged as enemies of the state? Terrorist tags on legitimate and open, legal organizations deemed dangerous by the incompetent security and intelligence community?

Workers everywhere reject the ID system. This scheme will not put dinner on the table. It will only sow fear, confusion and distrust. There is every reason therefore, to reject it.