KMU dares TUCP: Let’s build alliance for significant wage hike

Despite its reservations towards the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines’ plan of filing a petition for a wage increase before the country’s regional wage boards, labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno challenged the TUCP today to close ranks with it in forming an alliance for a significant wage hike.

KMU said the government’s and big capitalists’ dogged opposition to a substantial wage hike leave workers with no other option than to unite on the issue.

“We challenge the TUCP to join us in forming an alliance for a significant wage hike. Such an alliance will surely strengthen the workers’ fight for a substantial wage increase which is much deserved by workers but is now long overdue,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.

“The Aquino government and big capitalists have been all-out in opposing a significant wage hike while the number of unionized workers has been reduced in years. Workers need to unite in order to have a fighting chance that our demands will be met,” he added.

“What is clear right now is that both KMU and TUCP are resolute in fighting for a wage hike for workers. Talks for the formation of the alliance may perhaps clarify other points of unity and coordination in our campaigns,” he said.

KMU condemned the government of Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for immediately turning down TUCP’s proposal for a wage hike.

Reacting to the TUCP’s plan to file a petition for a wage increase, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that there is no reason to hike wages at present.

“We condemn the Aquino government’s knee-jerk dismissal of any proposal for a wage hike. Pres. Aquino is again showing that he is a consistent pro-capitalist and anti-worker president,” Labog said.

“While we have criticisms against the TUCP’s mode of pushing for a wage hike, we are revolted by the Aquino government’s refusal to hike wages, especially by a significant level. Workers have not received a significant wage hike since the start of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s reign in 2001,” he added.

KMU said it still challenges the TUCP to push for a wage increase that is higher than the P75 to P100 that the latter is proposing, that is nationwide in scope and not regional, that is across-the-board, and is legislated.