Manggagawa

Manggagawa is a Filipino term that translates to "worker" or "laborer." It is derived from the root gawa, meaning to do or to make, with the agent-focus prefix mang- that marks the doer of an action. The word denotes the person who performs work and is commonly used to refer to people employed in various sectors in the Philippines, from factories and offices to farms and informal settings. Because Tagalog nouns do not require plural suffixes, the form manggagawa can refer to a single worker or to workers collectively, with context indicating number.

In everyday usage, manggagawa can refer to an individual worker or to workers as a social group, often in discussions about labor conditions, wages, and rights. The term is widely used in labor discourse, politics, and media to emphasize the collective interests of those who earn a living through work. The term also carries sometimes a political facet, appearing in debates about labor rights and social equity.

Legal and policy context: In Philippine law, workers' rights are protected under the Labor Code and related statutes. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) administers wage standards, safety rules, and rules on hiring, firing, and grievances. Unions and other workers' organizations represent manggagawa in collective bargaining and labor disputes. The term thus functions both as a descriptive label and as a reference point in discussions about the treatment and welfare of workers.