Workers hold ‘Bike for P125’ protest to Congress

Workers from a steel manufacturing company who ride bicycles going to work and then going home daily to save on transportation fare rode together today from Philcoa to Congress to call for a significant wage hike.

The workers, led by labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno, are calling for the immediate passage of House Bill 375, also known as the P125 Wage Hike Bill, filed by Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael Mariano seeking to legislate a P125 across-the-board wage hike nationwide.

The workers, who had flaglets in their bikes and signs at the back and front of their shirts bearing their call, held a short program upon reaching the House of Representatives.

“Even if workers are finding ways to cope with meager wages, they know that what is really needed is a significant wage hike. What they are able to save by coping are still being taken away,” said Roger Soluta, KMU secretary-general, who also rode a bike.

“To avoid paying transportation fares, many have resorted to using bicycles, despite the well-known dangers it entails. But oil prices continue to rise, thereby increasing the prices of basic goods and services,” he added.

KMU cited an April 2011 research released by Ibon Foundation showing that the Metro Manila minimum wage of P404 is only 2/5 of the Family Living Wage, which currently stands at P988, saying this is a deterioration from the 1/2 in 2001.

The Family Living Wage was arrived at by adding up the most basic necessities of a family of five.

“The amount actually saved by riding a bicycle to work may be small, but that shows you to what extent the real value of workers’ wages have been pressed down. Many are even reducing the amount and quality of food, why not reduce cost on transportation?” Soluta said.

The labor leader said the protest action is a preparation for a big mobilization tomorrow, Nov. 30, Andres Bonifacio Day, where workers and other sectors will call for a significant wage hike and the junking of contractualization.

“We are exploring various forms of protest to voice out our calls. We know that we cannot rely on a government headed by a president who buys expensive cars to immediately grant a significant wage hike, like the P125 across-the-board hike that we have been calling for,” he said.