Labor groups, Makabayan and other bets push wage hike, reforms

INQUIRER.net / Faith Argosino

MANILA, Philippines — A week before the country’s observance of Labor Day, over 30 labor organizations, along with Makabayan senatorial candidates, have pushed for a living wage and unveiled their unified labor agenda, which outlined key reforms on wages and contractualization, among others.

In a press conference on Thursday, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Secretary General Jerome Adonis reiterated his call for the implementation of a P1,200 daily national minimum wage, which was included in the unified labor agenda.

The groups and bets’ call came amid decades of “failed wage-setting by the Regional Wage Boards and the skyrocketing prices of goods.”

“Tinulak ng matagal na pamamayagpag ng bulok na pamamahala ang pagbubuo ng Labor Vote. Ang pagsuporta dito ng malawak na hanay ng mga manggagawa ay patunay na sawa na ang mga manggagawa sa mga polisiyang nagpapahirap sa amin kapalit ng tubo ng iilan” said KMU Secretary General Jerome Adonis.

(The long reign of corrupt governance prompted the formation of Labor Vote. Its support by a broad spectrum of workers is proof that workers are fed up with policies that make us suffer in exchange for the profits of a few.)

“Karapatan ng bawat manggagawa ang nakabubuhay na sahod. At tanging ang mga tunay na representante nila ang lalaban para makamtan ito.  Nararapat lang na singilin ito ng mga manggagawa sa mga nakaupo at nag-aasam na umupo sa gobyerno!” added Adonis.

(Every worker has the right to a living wage. And only their true representatives will fight to achieve it. It is only right that workers demand this from those who sit and aspire to sit in government!)

For his part, Partido Lakas ng Masa senatorial candidate and labor leader Leody De Guzman slammed the current administration’s announcement that the Department of Agriculture will begin selling rice at P20 per kilo in Visayas.

He said this should also be accessible to Filipinos nationwide.

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“Ang availability and capability na ibenta ng P20 kada kilo ang bigas sa Visayas ay dahil may sobra pa silang supply ng bigas at palay na nakaimbak sa mga NFA (National Food Authority) warehouses. Kailangan nilang i-dispose sa lalong madaling panahon bago ito mabulok,” he further claimed.

(The availability and capability to sell rice at P20 per kilo in the Visayas is because they still have an excess supply of rice and palay stored in the NFA warehouses. They need to dispose of it as soon as possible before it rots.)

According to the labor leader, the move is not a fulfillment of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s campaign promises during the 2022 polls but “a policy shift” to veer away from the criticisms against the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).

“Kung sinsero ang Palasyo na pamurahin ang bigas sa buong bansa at hindi electoral gimmick lamang, ibasura niya ang RTL. Bigyang otorisasyon ang NFA na bumili ng palay sa ating magsasaka, itodo ang modernisasyon ng lokal na rice production, ipakulong ang mga smuggler at ibuhos ang lahat ng suporta sa ating mga magsasaka,” he stressed.

(If the Palace is sincere in making rice cheaper nationwide and not just an electoral gimmick, it will scrap RTL. Authorize the NFA to buy rice from our farmers, modernize local rice production, imprison smugglers, and pour all its support into our rice farmers.)

Aside from the wage increase, the labor agenda also aims to pursue the following as Election Day nears:

• Regular and decent employment
• Full recognition of the right to freedom of association, right to unionize, and human rights
• Quality public services
• Tax the billionaires, not the Workers
• Climate justice and climate action
• Agricultural and industrial development
• End discrimination and abuse
• End to political dynasties and corruption; ensuring accountability

Aside from De Guzman and Adonis, senatorial candidates that helped launch the agenda were Sonny Matula,  labor leader Luke Espiritu, National Confederation of Labor spokesperson Ernesto Arellano, Urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) Mimi Doringo, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas, Filipino Nurses United Secretary General Jocelyn Andamo, and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Chairperson Danilo Ramos.