KMU to Arroyo government: Focus on providing economic relief instead of pushing for self-serving charter change

Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU or May First Movement) today asserted that the Arroyo government should focus on providing economic relief to workers and other toiling sectors instead of pushing for charter change. This move to amend the constitution will only serve to intensify foreign domination, particularly US imperialism, while ultimately disrespecting national sovereignty, according to the group.

Further, “charter change will maintain a rank of corrupt officials who shamelessly espouse their self-interests at the expense of the welfare of the people,” stressed Wilson Baldonaza, KMU’s secretary-general. Arroyo administration and its set of officials and allies consequently fail to alleviate the country from its dire economic and political situation, added Baldonaza.

KMU stressed that the people should remain vigilant over the administration’s maneuverings at the Lower House to pass the charter change. Accordingly, they should assert for the much needed economic relief from the government, furthered the group.

KMU demands for P10,000 financial assistance for six months for workers who were laid off as the global financial crisis continues to hit hard on the local economy. This sum, according to Baldonaza, will “help the workers cope with mounting joblessness and its effect to Filipino families.”

National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) chief Ralph Recto earlier said that there is, indeed, a need to help the workers financially. The assistance can be extracted from the P104B presidential social fund.

KMU, however, is disappointed that even after this pronouncement by the NEDA chief himself, no financial aid has been given to workers.  The group said that the presidential social fund might fall into the hands of corrupt officials, particularly the president aiming to maintain her position beyond 2010, if it is not immediately allotted for financial assistance to the workers and other needs of the people.

Likewise, KMU stressed the need to legislate the P125 wage increase to help the workers cope with the rising cost of living within Metro Manila and other regions of the country. Baldonaza said that the “global financial crisis is not a reason to hold wage increase.” Instead, “the brunt of this crisis on workers is a reason to increase their wages that will ensure their survival amid the crisis.”

As workers call for the junking of charter change, they demand for just economic relief which comes in the form of P10,000 financial assistance and P125 wage increase.

KMU, along with thousands of Filipino workers, will carry these calls to the May Day celebration next week. Workers throughout the world will be represented in the Labor Day mobilization in the country by the delegates of the annual International Solidarity Affair spearheaded by KMU. ###