Feature Articles:

Eagles Relief Drive in Masbate Distributes 1,294 Packs

The Fraternal Order of Eagles- Philippine Eagles (FOE-PE) distributed...

Workers picket DTI for opposing P125 wage hike

“Faced with workers’ continuing clamor for a significant wage hike, the Department of Trade and Industry is resorting to the age-old tactic of blackmailing workers with threats of massive layoffs.”

This was the statement of labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno as it picketed the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) office in Makati City today to condemn Secretary Gregory Domingo’s statement last week that the Aquino government is opposed to the P125 Wage Hike Bill in the House of Representatives because the said bill will supposedly make the country unattractive to investors and cause massive layoffs.

Domingo was referring to House Bill 375 filed by Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael V. Mariano, which seeks to legislate a P125 across-the-board wage hike nationwide.

“The DTI had to make the statement because it knows that the Filipino workers and people are still clamoring that the government approve a significant wage hike, amidst the rising prices of basic goods and services, especially oil. It’s so-called basis, however, is as discredited as it is old,” said Nitz Gonzaga, KMU vice-chairperson for women.

“It is not labor cost that is eating up the biggest chunk of capitalists’ cost of production, but high energy cost – the highest in Asia. Domingo is trying to deceive workers in exaggerating the possible impact of a substantial wage hike, while keeping silent on energy cost which is afflicting investors, especially small Filipino businesses,” she added.

The protestors burned an image of Pres. Aquino and Sec. Domingo with the words “Department na Tubo ang Inuuna,” playing on the department’s initials.

Capitalist opposition to significant wage hike



KMU cited a research released by independent think-tank Ibon Foundation that a P125 across-the-board wage hike will only mean a 15% reduction in capitalists’ profits, which shows that such a hike should not cause massive retrenchment of workers.

“The problem is that capitalists are unwilling to allow even a minimal reduction in their profits despite the intense poverty and hunger being suffered by workers. The DTI is serving as capitalists’ spokesperson in echoing the latter’s threat of massive retrenchment to workers,” Gonzaga said.

“The truth is that capitalists have steadily amassed greater profits through the years while workers’ wages have been kept at the barest minimum. This workers know, that is why threats of massive layoffs will not deter us from fighting for a significant wage hike in the form of the P125 Wage Hike Bill,” she added.

“We will intensify our fight for a significant wage hike in the coming months,” she said. Nitz Gonzaga, KMU Vice Chair for Women

Latest

Eagles Relief Drive in Masbate Distributes 1,294 Packs

The Fraternal Order of Eagles- Philippine Eagles (FOE-PE) distributed...

Soberanya sa Pagkain, Hindi Sandata: Binabago ng Kilusan ang Diwa ng Pambansang Seguridad

Tuluyang tumuligsa ang Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya sa...

Newsletter

spot_img
spot_img

Don't miss

Eagles Relief Drive in Masbate Distributes 1,294 Packs

The Fraternal Order of Eagles- Philippine Eagles (FOE-PE) distributed...

Soberanya sa Pagkain, Hindi Sandata: Binabago ng Kilusan ang Diwa ng Pambansang Seguridad

Tuluyang tumuligsa ang Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya sa...

Advocacy Group Condemns Government Policies for Worsening Philippine Food Crisis

The Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya, today launched a...
spot_imgspot_img

Sa Araw ng Pagkain ng Mundo, binatikos ng Oceana ang plano ng gobyerno na buksan ang Munisipal na Katubigan sa malalaking mangingisda

Sa pagdiriwang ng World Food Day o Araw ng Pagkain ng Mundo, tinutulan ng marine conservation group na Oceana ang isang panukala ng pamahalaan...

Farmers’ group condemns Government Priorities on National Food Day, demands higher rice priceand subsidies, not weapons

A national farmers' alliance has launched a sharp protest against the government, criticizing its response to national hunger and demanding immediate subsidies and a...

Eagles Relief Drive in Masbate Distributes 1,294 Packs

The Fraternal Order of Eagles- Philippine Eagles (FOE-PE) distributed 1,294 relief packs across Masbate, concluding an operation that resulted in a PHP 37,939.63 financial...