Kilusang Mayo Uno denounced the recent recommendations and lobbying of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) for more “flexible labor rules” to cope with the financial crisis, as it will bring greater oppression to workers.
KMU is recently accused of blowing up a cell site, cited as a rebel group in a highschool textbook, and almost intruded in its office by a gang of unidentified men.
“These are renewed attempts of the Arroro regime, under the package of Oplan Batay Laya (OBL2), to crush legal organizations who oppose her exploitative rule,” said Joselito Ustarez, KMU Executive Vice President.
“To protest is to be fired. Be at the mercy of the capitalist, accept all injustices.
“This is gradually becoming the rule nowadays, as workers who demand for their legitimate rights, in a legitimate way, become automatic victims of termination,” said Roger Soluta, Kilusang Mayo Uno Deputy Secretary General.
Kilusang Mayo Uno picketed the house of Congress Labor Committee Chair Magtanggol Gunigundo today to strongly remind him of his promise to call for a committee hearing on the P125 wage hike bill within August.
The promise was made in an earlier picket at his same residence in Baranggay Marulas at Valenzuela last June 19, where he faced the labor leaders in a dialogue.
“We cannot wait any longer for the passage of a substantial legislated wage hike. This has been long overdue for the workers,” said Joselito Ustarez, KMU Executive Vice President.
On August Friday the 13th of 1982, about a hundred KMU leaders were illegally arrested from their homes, offices, and other whereabouts to suffer years of illegal detention and torture under the Marcos regime.
After 26 years, workers commemorate this one dreadful part of labor history by intensifying calls against all forms of workers rights’ repression.
