Labor Union Groups staged protest in Mendiola asked for Php125 wage increase

Miami
May 1, 2008
Story: Labor Union Groups staged protest in Mendiola asked for Php125 wage increase

Several labor union groups assembled in different parts of Manila and went to Mendiola to stage protest and be able to send their message at the Malacanang Palace.

The Alliance for Progressive Labor (APL) together with Sanlakas, Akbayan, Makabayan, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) and Sulong started their day by assembling in Plaza Miranda in Quiapo at around 10:00 am then they marched towards Liwasang Bonifacio at 10:45 am. They were the first batch who held a program in Liwasang Bonifacio.
The first batch arrived at the Liwasang Bonifacio at around 10:45 am wherein they had a program.

At the program, the group asked the government to increase the salary of the people by Php 125 per day across the board and nationwide. Party List Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquiel said on stage, “People need food and not crisis, regular work and not as contractual employees only.”

On their program they also had performers who sing on the condition of the Philippines today.
The theme of the song is about the food crisis and work crisis and a wish of an ordinary person to become rich to be able to feel all the luxury in life.

During the interview with Manila Shimbun, Baraquiel explained that it would be better if the government will give a living wage for the workers and she is pushing for legislated wage increase and not through regional wage board.

“In regional wage board different group will have different amount of increase on their salary because different people from different groups or union in different provinces will negotiate for their wage increase. With legislative wage board it will be nationwide, and what increase will be given here in Manila will be applied in the provinces as well,” Baraquiel explained.

APL President Joseph Ado said it will be better if the whole labor sectors will benefit from the wage increase, “What is happening sometimes, they will set an increase by 10% only then those who will benefit from it are those who are in position already and not the ordinary employee.”
His example was if an ordinary employee is earning P5,000 and additional P 500 will be added only and it still not enough for the people who has children to feed.

At around 12:00 noon, the first batch of protesters march to Mendiola to reiterate their call. Ado estimated that they were about 4,000 to 5,000 rallyists present.
But to Ground Commander in Liwasan Bonifacio, Supt. Jojo Rosales they were only about 3,000. Rosales also added that in there were around 50 policemen at the area, 10 of which are wearing civilian clothes.

At around 1:00 pm, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) together with Gabriella, Anakpawis, Bayan and Bayan Muna arrived in Liwasang Bonifacio to have their own protest program. They were the second batch of rallyists.

They stayed at Liwasang Bonifacio till 3:00 pm, and went staright to Mendiola. They arrived in Mendiola at 4:00 pm.

The group is also calling for P125 wage increase nationwide, and also in support of legislative wage increase and not through regional board.

The group is actually calling for the abolition of wage board.

“The demand for Php 125 wage hike gains more justification amidst the present skyrocketing of costs of almost all goods,” Presto Suyat said. He added that since April of this year alone the price of rice increased by 44%, fish by 14.3%, pork by 23%, chicken and vegetables by 20% and cooking oil by 56%.

They see the P125 wage increase is a proper amount to ask from the government. KMU considers these move as economic relief for the people.
KMU also said that Php 362.00 is the minimum salary that a worker received per day, but the daily cost of living of a worker with family is about Php 858.00

They may be seperate when they held their protest but these groups are all calling for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Renato Reyes, Secretary General of Bayan explained they really want GMA to be ousted because they believe the President is not doing anything for the benefit of the people but more on the capitalist.

“She's supporting the capitalist rather than the ordinary people and that is not good. That is why she is always the center of our protests,” Reyes said.

If the Php 125 wage increase will not be implemented or followed, Reyes said it might fuel more protests against the President because the people will be disapoointed.