TUCP wage hike petition reflective of big business, gov’t stance – KMU

“While we enjoin the most number of workers in the struggle for a substantial wage increase, we see to it that our fight is in the correct direction.”

Kilusang Mayo Uno chairperson Elmer “Bong” Labog reiterated the call for a nationwide, across-the-board, and legislated P125 wage increase amid the recent filing by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) of a petition for a P75 wage hike in the Metro Manila regional wage board.

Government instrument

Labog said that regional wage boards have always been the instrument of the government to block calls for significant wage increases. Since its inception under the Aquino administration in 1989, a meager P26 was the highest amount granted by the Metro Manila wage board, for example, and wages were increased by only 16 times in the same region.

“The TUCP always brings the wage hike fight to the wage boards. That is actually succumbing to the government’s tactic of blocking substantial nationwide increases. It’s like putting a kitten in an arena to do battle with tigers,” Labog said.

“Regional wage boards aim to divide workers’ unity in the whole country in our fight for wage hikes. TUCP is only too glad to lead us into disunity.”

Big business excuse

The last wage hike granted by the Metro Manila wage board was a measly P20 last June 2008. Since then, prices have skyrocketed and the global economic crisis has ravaged the livelihood of many Filipinos.

“That’s why KMU continued with our campaign for a substantial P125 wage hike, because workers and the poor have been most affected by the crisis,” Labog said.

“TUCP, meanwhile, is echoing big businesses’ excuse for evading wage increases – that wage increases may result in huge losses and closures. This, even as soaring prices and decreasing value of wages pummeled workers last year. These are two of the urgent reasons for increasing wages now,” Labog said.

Connivance

“TUCP has never called for Gloria’s resignation or ouster, nor has it distanced itself from her. We suspect that TUCP’s petition is part of one of Gloria’s charade in a last-ditch effort to deodorize her stinking image,” Labog added.

“TUCP’s moves for a wage hike, therefore, are only reflective of government’s and big business’ tactics to block a substantial, nationwide wage hike – while saving Arroyo’s face at the same time. We should be cautious not to fall into such trap,” Labog said. #