Workers press for Congress special session to pass P125 bill

Workers were extremely dismayed over the House adjournment last week without the passage of the P125 wage hike bill even at the Committee level.

Led by the Kilusang Mayo Uno, workers now urge the Congress to conduct a special session to tackle the P125 bill.

“People badly need a measure to cope up with ever-soaring prices of oil, rice, power, and almost all goods. We urge our congressmen to conduct special session for the deliberation of P125 legislated wage hike bill. We hope that they delay their vacations or rest and recreation (R and R) abroad for the interests of Filipino workers,” said Elmer Labog, KMU chairperson.

“We are dismayed and enraged that the Arroyo administration can come up with a variety of dubious dole-out programs and publicity stunts for VAT, and yet do nothing substantial to really alleviate the dire conditions of the people.

“It is necessary to enact the P125 wage increase to give people the much-needed immediate relief. This is also in respect of the late Crispin Beltran, principal author of the bill and veteran labor leader who has staunchly fought for a substantial wage increase,” Labog added.

KMU appealed to Congress labor committee head Magtanggol Guinigundo to call and convene the special session.

Labog also slammed the meager wage adjustments recently approved by a few regional wage boards, which only amounted to P20 or less.

Last month, government-reported inflation rate data was nearly 10 percent, and is still expected to climb up steadily to record-breaking rates.

Just last week, gasoline prices increased by P1.50 per liter, and LPG by P1 per kilo. For this year, gasoline prices rose 14 times to an amount of 12.50 a liter.

KMU also plans to picket key solons at their district offices and even at their homes to push for the conduct of a special session for the P125 bill. ###