Workers picket Meralco, slam power rate hike, ecozone subsidy

Workers led by labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno picketed the Manila Electric Company office in España Ave., Manila today to condemn the latest power rate hike implemented by the country’s largest distributor of electrical power, saying the hike will increase workers’ suffering amidst stagnant wages.

The workers also protested the Aquino government’s grant of P1.16 Billion power subsidy for the country’s special economic zones, slamming the government for giving to big capitalists what it denies the people.

“Current electricity rates are already too high for workers whose wages remain stunted. Another round of increase is just too much to bear,” said Roger Soluta, KMU secretary-general.

“The Aquino government should act now to stop this rate hike and to actually reduce power rates. Workers cannot go on receiving Third-World wages and still pay for the highest electricity rates in all of Asia,” he added.

200 kWh = 16.4% increase from P1.03 to P1.20
201-300 kWh = 12% increase from P1.40 to P1.60
301-400 kWh = 9.8% increase from P1.72 to P1.90
*(Average monthly consumption = Increase)

“Once again, Pres. Aquino is showing just who his real bosses are. We condemn his government for granting a huge subsidy to capitalists doing business in the special economic zones while ignoring workers’ calls for subsidies for social services,” Soluta said.

“Not content with allowing capitalists to press down wages and promote contractual employment in ecozones, the Aquino government is using the workers’ and people’s money to support these capitalists,” he added.

The workers called on small and medium enterprises to speak up on the issue.

“We call on small and medium enterprises to register their opposition to this rate hike. They have been telling us workers that it’s actually high power rates which make it difficult to significantly increase workers’ wages,” Soluta said.

“While workers desire the strengthening of the country’s small and medium enterprises, workers cannot forever endure very low wages and very high prices,” he added.