Labor Center recognizes Archbishop Vidal support for wage hike

“We recognize the support of Archbishop Ricardo Vidal for a much needed wage hike for workers but sadly the workers cannot expect the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) 7 to allow an amount greater than PhP 12.”

This was the reaction of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Labor Center to the expression of support of Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Vidal for a wage hike for workers in Central Visayas.

“But our fellow workers in Region 7 cannot expect the RTWPB 7 to give an amount higher than the miniscule PhP 12 wage hike the RTWPB in the National Capital Region (NCR) approved since this amount will serve as the ceiling for any wage hike to be approved by the wage boards given that according to their computation, cost of living in the NCR is the highest," said Elmer "Ka Bong" Labog, National Chairperson of the KMU.

According to Labog AMA-Sugbo, the local affiliate of KMU in Cebu, was right on target when they awarded the RTWPB 7 the "Kalabasa Award” since the regional wage boards persistently failed to provide economic relief to our working Filipinos. “Wage boards were established precisely to keep wages low and to divide the efforts of the Filipino working-class. The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines petition for an across-the-board wage increase from the wage boards is a ‘fool’s errand’ to say the least, since wage boards are here to counter any across-the-board wage increase.”

Labog stressed the need for a united working-class supporting the PhP 125 legislated across-the-board wage increase to be re-filed in Congress and fighting for its approval.

Civilians to suffer most from war in Mindanao

“The escalation of fighting in Mindanao will only mean an escalation of suffering of ordinary Filipinos caught in the cross-fire. Nothing can account for the damage civilians will endure during and long after the fog of war has vanished in Mindanao since the hawks in the Arroyo regime sees no difference between civilians and armed elements, as has been proven by the continued political killings and disappearances of activists and ordinary citizens,” opined Labog.

“The problem of Abu Sayyaf will remain since they get logistical and intelligence support from corrupt AFP brass and their Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) handlers who gain money from kidnap-for-ransom activities of this small bandit group and the propaganda mileage needed to prop-up Bush’s War of Terror,” ended Labog.