Workers demand speedy assistance, not slow-moving loans

Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno today called on the government to provide direct assistance to workers affected by typhoon “Ondoy” via the SSS and GSIS, saying making loans available to workers is not enough help.

“We already have many loans. The damage that we have sustained is just too big. If the government is really sincere in helping workers affected by ‘Ondoy,’ the best way would be to provide direct calamity assistance, not loans. The government’s calamity funds should go directly to workers,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.

“It is ironic that while our ordinary kababayans have been generous in giving material support to those affected, the government is only giving out loans. Ordinary people have been giving a part of what little savings they have while the government keeps a tight grip on the huge funds it continues to misappropriate,” Labog said.

KMU criticized the calamity loan made available by the SSS and GSIS, saying it is still an added burden for workers. It also slammed government rhetoric justifying the giving out of loans and not assistance.
“The government is using the rhetoric of ‘helping workers help themselves’ to renege on its responsibility of helping workers,” said Labog.“Workers have long been helping themselves. In fact, we have been helping society with our underpaid work. The recent disaster has just added an enormous burden on our backs, and the government – whose responsibility it is to help – should assist us during these times of great difficulty,” said Labog.

KMU also slammed the snail-pace of loan processing and the onerous requirements being asked of workers who want to avail of loans. “Processing loans in this pace and with these requirements is not the best way of helping workers. We want calamity assistance to be granted immediately,” added Labog.

The labor center also said that “Ondoy” merely highlights and further exposes the long-standing callousness of the SSS and GSIS towards workers. “The problem is not that they are slow in responding to workers’ requests for assistance during calamities. The problem is that they are slow in responding to workers’ requests for assistance, period,” said Labog.

KMU vowed to launch protest actions in the coming days to assert its call. “We know the government will not act by itself on these demands without workers’ pressure,” Labog said. #