'Minuscule and sadistic” wage increases and COLA adjustments through regional wage boards will only incite further labor unrest

THE  militant Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today warned the Macapagal-Arroyo government and employers that they are inciting further labor unrest, particularly strikes and successive demonstrations if they continue to block the legitimate demands of workers all over the country. 

KMU Spokesperson Prestoline Suyat issued the warning after various employers’ groups and regional wage boards have announced that they are generally considering cost of living allowances or COLA increases for workers instead of basic pay hikes. 

The Northern Mindanao Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) announced that it will issue an order granting a temporary emergency allowance for workers in the region within the next few days.

On the other hand, sources from the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) said the Employers Confederation of  the Philippines (ECOP) wants a P10 increase in the daily basic pay of workers in Metro Manila. 

“ It is not because May 1 is over that we cannot muster  enough strength and numbers to protest insulting wage increases to be given by various regional wage boards. If we have protested last year when workers in Metro Manila only received a meager P12.00  increase in their  basic pay from the NCR regional wage board, do they expect that we will jump for joy receiving P10.00 this year? Are they really daring us to show our outrage and to register our protest that will hurt their businesses badly? ,“ Suyat said.  

Suyat also pointed out that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will receive  the loudest and sharpest condemnation and protest of workers since she continues to “overact” or exaggerate that she is sincerely pushing for substantial wage increases by “meeting’ and conducting “surprise visits” to regional wage boards.

“ Filipino workers are hungry and tired and they will be more furious that after the antics and drama shown by President Arroyo these past few weeks are over, they will receive the bad news of sadistic or cruel wage adjustments, if there will be any. The worsening economic crisis is taking its toll and our patience is thinning. We have to fight back or our families will die miserably,” Suyat said.

The labor leader also registered that the upcoming “ miniscule and revolting” wage increases through regional wage boards will only make the legislated wage hike more justifiable to the public.  

“ We are reiterating our position that the P125 wage increase, across-the-board and across-the-country that we are demanding will only provide temporary economic relief to the Filipino workers and their families. But it is only through legislation that we can have substantial wage hike at this moment. Aside from this, it also necessary that the Value-Added Tax (VAT) in food, petroleum products and medicines must be removed immediately and that the Arroyo government must also ensure that our countrymen will buy cheaper rice in the market,” Suyat stressed.