Workers call for resignation of Labor Sec. Brion; actions pressing for P125 wage hike on Jan 22 as Senate resumes session

Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno today demanded the resignation of DoLE Secretary Arturo Brion as the Labor Chief espouse the anti-worker position of employers against legislated wage increase.

“Public office is a public trust. Brion cannot be trusted even a bit as he is obviously biased to the business sector. He should resign from DoLE and return to his old job as corporate lawyer for big companies. “His actions and opinions only reflect the interest of business owners. He is an inveterate apologist for capitalists,” said KMU Executive Vice President Lito Ustarez.

The labor leader said they will continue to press for the P125 across-the-board legislated wage hike despite opposition from foreign and local business groups. “Our demand for a legislated wage increase is just and immediate. Not even Malacanang’s pronouncement to veto the P125 legislated wage hike will stop workers from holding actions in factory level and in the streets,” Ustarez said.

On Sunday, January 21, KMU will hold a protest vigil at the Senate grounds in Pasay City to await the resumption of the Senate’s session on January 21. “We are expecting the Senate to adopt the P125 across-the-board, legislated wage hike. This will be crucial for our support for candidates in the upcoming elections. The labor vote is a vote for the legislated wage hike,” Ustarez concluded.