KMU thanks Cardinal Rosales for supporting the need for wage hikes

KMU today expressed gratitude to Manila Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales for supporting the cause of workers and Filipinos for higher wages and better living conditions.

“We are thanking our good Cardinal for sharing with us his thoughts on issues concerning Filipino workers especially now that workers worldwide are preparing for the International Labor Day on Monday. Based on our experiences, we combine faith and action to succeed in our purpose. Workers always act collectively to achieve whatever we are hoping for. Like in the case of our fight for wage increase, the conduct of concerted actions is necessary to prevail over profit-hungry businesses. Experiences have thought us through the years that we can only rely on our own actions to achieve our hopes,” said KMU Chairperson Elmer ‘Bong’ Labog.

“God-fearing working people have always toiled hard for all the blessings that they have in life. But unfortunately, greed for money and power continue to prevail among few capitalists and people in authority. These ruling elite continue to undermine previous victories that workers have fought for and won in the past. Given this challenge, we can only rely on our strength and assert our role in the society as producers of social wealth. We cannot do that if we just sit around and wait for miracles to happen. We believe and work hard for our miracles,” the labor leader said.

“So far, we have asserted the P125 wage hike demand for legislation at the House of Representatives. Workers are rallying in the streets for this cause since 1999. We know this will be a long battle because legislators and business owners will not serve the P125 wage hike in a silver platter. Workers are compelled to act upon this until we achieve our just demands.”

Militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) assailed Philippine National Police National Capital Region (NCRPO) Director Gen. Vidal Querol is double-talking on their possible actions on May 1. “While Gen. Querol is saying in all his media interviews that the PNP will recognize protest marches as long as rallyists have permits, police operatives are actively preventing labor groups from securing rally permits.

“We gathered information that police elements are going around local government units and City Mayor’s offices within Metro Manila to check if KMU applied for a permit. A certain P03 Salvador Cardenas went to the office of Las Pinas City Mayor Nene Aguilar yesterday afternoon and checked if KMU sent any letter of request. When asked, Cardenas said that his superior Col. Gary Gagarin tasked him and his colleagues to check all City Mayors’ offices to check if KMU has secured a permit for the rallies and assemblies on Monday. PNP is doing this to restrain our rallies.”

“PNP forces could try all they want to prevent the activities on May 1. We are ready and we will push through with the scheduled activities on Labor Day,” said KMU Secretary General Joel Maglunsod.

He said that KMU applied for a permit to rally at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila as early as February 7. KMU’s request was granted by the Manila City government last March 16. “We received a letter of approval signed by Gerino Tolentino Jr, Director of Business Promotion and Development Office of the City of Manila . If PNP will not honor this then we will have to assert our right to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech.”

At 10am on Monday, KMU contingent will assemble at Plaza Moriones, Plaza Miranda, T.M. Kalaw cor. Taft. Ave., and Plaza Lacson. By 12 noon, rallyists will march towards Liwasang Bonifacio for a protest program until 4 pm.