Workers slam huge oil price hike, press for wage hike

“The Aquino government is keeping its hands tied helpless against oil price hikes.”

This was labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno’s statement today, as it condemned the substantial price hike implemented by Chevron Philippines this morning, which will surely be followed by other oil companies, saying the government is refusing to do something to protect workers and poor people from unabated oil price hikes.

Chevron implemented the following increases in the per liter prices of petroleum products effective 6:00 this morning: P0.65 for unleaded gas; P1.90 for diesel; P0.90 for regular gasoline; and P1.60 for kerosene.

“It would appear at first sight that we do not have a government to protect us from unabated price hikes in petroleum products. The oil companies are just texting the price hikes that they will implement to the government,” said Roger Soluta, KMU secretary-general.

“The truth is that the Aquino government is tying its hands helpless on the issue by refusing to junk or at least review the Oil Deregulation Law,” he said

“The oil companies’ rollbacks are meager while their price hikes are big – especially in diesel, which comprises 70% of the consumption of petroleum products. This is a clear proof that they are overpricing their products, on top of dictating the prices internationally in the first place,” he added.

KMU condemned Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for not fulfilling his promise, made before the Sept. 14 consultation with transport groups, that he will open the Oil Deregulation Law for review.

“The Aquino government’s refusal, until now, to implement its promise only shows that the review was announced only to try to prevent the impending transport strike then. It really does not have the heart nor the will to at least probe into the Oil Deregulation Law,” Soluta said.

Wage hike

KMU said the big-time oil price hike make a significant wage hike more urgent as a form of immediate relief for workers.

“Aside from the threat that food prices will increase in the coming months, oil prices, toll fees and electric rates have all gone up. All of these have an indirect impact on the prices of basic goods and services,” Soluta said.

“We vow to intensify our protests for a significant wage hike in the coming days. The prices of basic goods and services are all increasing, thereby intensifying the hunger and poverty being experienced by workers,” he added.