On the eve of the Labor Day, multisectoral groups will hold a noise barrage in Welcome Rotonda as a ‘warm-up’ to even more scorching protests and activities tomorrow. Nationally-coordinated protests and activities for the international Labor Day tomorrow will focus on renewed calls for the ouster of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo government as workers take in the convergence of anti-Arroyo sectors and personalities in Manila and major urban centers. 

“Workers are hungry and angry over the Arroyo government’s callousness in addressing demands for wage hikes, price controls and significant economic reforms. We can only blame the government’s pro-foreign and pro-business policies for the worsening economic hardship felt by the country’s poor, especially workers who were deprived with economic relief.” 

Kilusang Mayo Uno chapters and affiliates in major urban centers and provinces nationwide will lead the simultaneous protests in Baguio, Ilocos region, Central Luzon, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Batangas, Bicol, Cebu City, Panay-Negros region, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and South Cotabato.

In Manila, labor unions and other militant organizations including BAYAN, Gabriela, Anakpawis, Courage and protest convenors under the Labor Day Committee 2008 will assemble in points at Blumentritt, Tondo, UST Espana and Quirino Avenue in Taft.

“We have more than enough just reasons to demand Arroyo’s ouster. We can’t wait for 2010 to have her removed as President. The sooner Arroyo is removed from office, the sooner can workers achieve economic relief. Removing a corrupt and burdensome leadership is already a major relief for the entire country.”  

Need for legislated wage hike among major calls Aside from the usual fiery speeches and colorful marches from the assembly points to Liwasang Bonifacio where the main program will take place, labor groups will carry giant panel boards and 300 yellow umbrellas with “P125 across-the-board wage hike” slogans to underscore the urgent need for significant wage adjustments, not through the regional wage boards but through immediate legislation by Congress.

“Calls for a legislated wage hike are justified now more than ever with the rising cost of all products, utilities and services.”  

KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog said that more working families will benefit directly and indirectly from an across the board wage increase.

Over 17.5 million wage and salary workers and their families stand to benefit directly from an across the board wage hike compared to 2.8 million minimum wage earners. He said that even non-wage workers, the informal sector and local businesses can benefit indirectly from the higher purchasing power of millions of workers.

DoLE token activities scored

KMU also scored once again the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) for its trivial observance of Labor Day. Labor Secretary Marianito Roque announced that DoLE will sponsor free job fairs, job assessments and certification for poor students as part of the “Manggagawang Pinoy: Kasangga sa Pagsulong ng Kaunlaran” activities of the Labor Department tomorrow.

“DoLE remained unresponsive to the most urgent needs and demands of Filipino workers. They can only make do with frivolous celebrations during Labor Day while neglecting more important concerns for significant wage increase, job security, regularization of jobs, protection of local and migrant workers and respect for trade union rights.”

Minimum wage lunch to mark start of Asia-wide wage campaign

Women workers from KMU-Women and Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan (KMK) will sponsor a minimum wage lunch at the Espana converging point tomorrow.

The Asia-wide Wage Campaign 2008 by the Committee for Asian Women (CAW) will start with the Minimum Wage Joint Action in the Philippines, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, China, Hongkong, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, India, Nepal and Taiwan. “In the Philippines, our contribution to this campaign will be the continuing fight for the P125 legislated wage increase,” said Nenita Gonzaga of KMU-Women. ###