Workers not gaining from government proclaimed economic growth

Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said that Malacanang's claim that key indicators speak well of the country's overall economic health is not at all believable.

"There is no substantial rise in income as far as wage earners are concerned. There is no increase in daily wages to speak of since the government is still holding back the approval and implementation of the legislated wage hike for workers still pending at the House of Representatives. What the wage boards approved are just Cost of Living Allowances (COLA) in several regions. These very minimal adjustments are not enough to cover the rising cost of living for a family of six which now amounts to more than P744 in the National Capital Region based on latest data released by the National Statistical and Coordination Board (NSCB)."

The labor group and other workers organizations are still demanding for the P125 legislated wage increase. "We will not compromise our demand for a legislated wage hike."

KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog scoffed at Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye who claims that, "the rise in incomes, stable prices and low inflation are signs that people from all walks of life are beginning to get their fair share of the economic momentum."

The labor leader further said that the government's declaration of the 'increasing per capita income' of Filipinos does not automatically translate to improving living conditions. "These are all statistics.

Reality is not as good as the government thinks likely of. The projected $1,400 per capita income for this year is far-fetched. "An increase in per capita income is not possible for wage earners and majority of the population who receive less wages and salaries as compared to the steadily rising cost of living.

"Bunye doesn't seem to know what he is talking about. Maybe he's living in a dream world as his description of the current economic situation is far from reality. Ordinary Filipinos are not even surviving the aggravating domestic economic crisis which is felt by almost every household. The only ones thriving in this situation are big businesses and corrupt government officials like Arroyo and her ilk," Labog said.

He added, "Bunye can pretend all he wants that the Arroyo administration is doing well in terms of governance and economic steering, but the infallible fact remains that more and more people are dissatisfied with the current government."

The effects of never-ending oil prices are proof enough that the public are not benefiting from the so-called economic growth hyped by Malacanang. In fact, Arroyo's patronage to the oil companies ensured millions of profits for the oil cartel. According to IBON Databank, oil products have been overpriced by P2.12 per liter from January to August 2006. As a result of overpricing, oil companies raked in extra profits of about P3.34 billion during the said period or P13.75 million daily.