Arroyo to get most from 10% salary increase

“Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would benefit the most from a 10% salary increase for government employees because percentage pay hike only stands to benefit cabinet secretaries, undersecretaries and executives of various government agencies.”

This was the reaction of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Labor Center to the recent signing by Arroyo of EO 611 raising salaries of government employees by 10% come July 2007. “Ordinary government employees who need the salary increase the most have been cheated again by this percentage increase. Arroyo who is salary grade 30, the highest salary for a government employee, already receiving Php 50,000 per month shall be receiving an additional Php 5,000 while a salary grade 1 employee will only receive an additional Php 508. This is the flaw to percentage increases and is biased against rank-and-file employees,” said Lito UStarez, Executive Vice-President of the KMU.

Although the labor leader welcomed the increase, he clarified that the EO 611 will further widen the gap between the incomes of rank-and-file workers to those in managerial positions. “We have supported the push of government employees for a legislated Php 3,000 across-the-board salary increase because it is biased for ordinary employees. An across-the-board salary increase stands to benefit all employees but it is the rank-and-file who comparatively gets the most. If the across-the-board increase is made into law, salary grade 1 workers will receive a 509% salary increase while Arroyo receives just a 6% increase,” stated Ustarez.

Timing questioned

The labor leader was also doubtful of the timing of the signing of the EO 611. “It is a clear abuse of power and position during election period and a stark reminder of how the regime will use all available materials for their selfish gain. This will definitely be used for campaign mileage. With the Team Unity getting trashed in most election survey and mock polls, the administration ticket would definitely pounce on this,” opined Ustarez.

“With this percentage increase, hunger incidence of 19% will definitely not go down dramatically but with an additional Php 5,000/month in her purse, we doubt that Arroyo would go hungry,” quipped Ustarez.