Submitted by KMU on Tue, 2007/03/20 - 3:03pm.
The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Labor Center slammed the statement by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo blaming “spending patterns” of Filipinos as the culprit to the rising hunger incidence in the country. A recent survey by the Social Weather Station (SWS) showed one out of five Filipinos going hungry.
“Adherence to neo-liberal economic dictates, favoring foreign companies over Filipino-owned businesses and the race to bring down wages in the framework of attracting foreign investments are only a few of the main driving force why so many Filipinos are going hungry,” said Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog, National Chairperson of the KMU.
“Instead of addressing the issue of hunger straight on, Arroyo would rather shift blame to ordinary Filipinos and their supposed unwise spending patterns as the reason for their poverty. The reality is that Filipinos are getting Php 350/day minimum wage while the living wage is Php 744/day. With such a gap, even a financial savant cannot make ends meet,” stated Labog.
The labor leader cited a study by the Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research (EILER) stating that in food alone, a family need to spend at least Php 250/day. “How can one manage to pay for other basic needs like housing, electricity and water, clothing, transportation, educational and medical expenses with just the remaining Php 100? Just to eat three square meals today is already a luxury,” opined Labog.
Senate bets need to answer hunger issue
Labog said that their group and the rest of the nation are still waiting to hear from any of the candidates for the senate on their clear program to address the issue of growing hunger among the Filipinos. “At least, partylist like Anakpawis, along with Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women’s Party have made it clear that they support and are working hard for the approval of a legislated wage and this is the reason why they are also the top 3 vote-getters according to the latest election surveys.”
According to the labor leader, they are still pushing for a Php 125 across-the-board legislated wage hike to provide a small relief to the growing number of working poor in the country along with employment, brain drain and other labor issues shall be highlighted come Labor Day.
“Adherence to neo-liberal economic dictates, favoring foreign companies over Filipino-owned businesses and the race to bring down wages in the framework of attracting foreign investments are only a few of the main driving force why so many Filipinos are going hungry,” said Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog, National Chairperson of the KMU.
“Instead of addressing the issue of hunger straight on, Arroyo would rather shift blame to ordinary Filipinos and their supposed unwise spending patterns as the reason for their poverty. The reality is that Filipinos are getting Php 350/day minimum wage while the living wage is Php 744/day. With such a gap, even a financial savant cannot make ends meet,” stated Labog.
The labor leader cited a study by the Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research (EILER) stating that in food alone, a family need to spend at least Php 250/day. “How can one manage to pay for other basic needs like housing, electricity and water, clothing, transportation, educational and medical expenses with just the remaining Php 100? Just to eat three square meals today is already a luxury,” opined Labog.
Senate bets need to answer hunger issue
Labog said that their group and the rest of the nation are still waiting to hear from any of the candidates for the senate on their clear program to address the issue of growing hunger among the Filipinos. “At least, partylist like Anakpawis, along with Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women’s Party have made it clear that they support and are working hard for the approval of a legislated wage and this is the reason why they are also the top 3 vote-getters according to the latest election surveys.”
According to the labor leader, they are still pushing for a Php 125 across-the-board legislated wage hike to provide a small relief to the growing number of working poor in the country along with employment, brain drain and other labor issues shall be highlighted come Labor Day.
