Anakpawis, KMU dare other presidentiables to bare wage hike platform now

“Gilbert Teodoro, though distancing himself much from Gloria Arroyo, reveals more that he will just continue this administration’s corrupt policies with his latest pronouncement championing the regional wage boards.”

Kilusang Mayo Uno chairperson Elmer “Bong” Labog said this in response to Gibo’s endorsing of the regional wage boards as the proper venue for wage hike petitions.

“The wage boards have proven to be the most improper venues for granting wage hikes. For more than two decades of its existence, only P26 was the highest increase ever granted. They regard workers as beggars who should be content with very measly increases,” Labog said.

“We dare other presidentiables to reveal their platform on how they will enact wage hikes in their administration now. With the continued spiralling of prices, the drought effects of El Niño, substantial wage increase is really a pressing issue they need to address.

“KMU has long been pushing for a legislated, nationwide P125 increase, and we are eager to hear which candidate will adopt this,” Labog added.

A house bill for a nationwide, across-the-board, P125 wage increase has long been filed by late Anakpawis Partylist Representative Crispin Beltran, and MAKABAYAN solons Liza Maza and Satur Ocampo.

Current Anakpawis Partylist Representative Joel Maglunsod, meanwhile, scored Gibo for issuing a very timely pronouncement amid the Depertment of Labor and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines’ (TUCP) harmonic statements on leaving the fate of wage hikes to regional wage boards.

“TUCP filed measly wage hike petitions in selected regions, DOLE instantly promised to study the proposals while long ignoring the P125 call, the Arroyo administration promises Labor day gifts to workers before its terms ends. And Gibo now does his part in the choral by endorsing regional wage boards as proper venue for wage hike. Ang galing at talino ng timing at palabas nila,” Maglunsod said.

“But they can never fool the Filipino people. The more they evade significant wage hikes to be granted, the more they will be haunted,” Maglunsod added. #