LABOR WATCH

On KMU's 25th Anniversary
Workers, Allies to Push for GMA's Ouster

Armed with the experience of ousting two presidents, Filipino workers are ready to continue and advance the oust Macapagal-Arroyo movement.

BY RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat

On May 1, Labor Day and 25th anniversary of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU or May First Movement), militant workers will reiterate their call for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's ouster.

In a press conference April 27, KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog said that the labor day protests will highlight the formation of a broad anti-Arroyo united front.

All political forces, including pro-Estrada and pro-FPJ groups have been invited. "Practically everyone who has issues against the Arroyo government is welcome to join the rallies. Arroyo will be the target of nationwide mobilizations on May 1," Labog said.

Pro-Estrada groups led the May 1, 2001 siege of Malacañang. Meanwhile, pro-FPJ forces believe Macapagal-Arroyo only won the last presidential elections because of massive fraud.

KMU Secretary General Joel Maglunsod said, "We may carry different names and banners but we carry common demands and causes – such as immediate economic relief for all workers. It is at the height of injustice that the producers of social wealth are the ones suffering the worst living conditions."

Aside from the Manila protest, similar actions will take place in Baguio, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Bicol region, Cebu, Eastern Visayas, Panay, Negros, Davao provinces, Southern Mindanao and other major provinces and regions nationwide.

Speaking before “A Gathering of Friends of Filipino Workers,” held April 27, Amado Gat Inciong said the Filipino people's poverty has reached its maximum level. "Lagpas na sa huling butas ng sinturon" (It is already beyond what could be endured).

Inciong served shortly as undersecretary of Ministry of Labor and Employment during Marcos reign. He said that the Left, the poor and the workers could form a critical mass against Macapagal-Arroyo. "Kung di ka pa bababa diyan, diretso na kaming aakyat. "  (literally: If you still do not step down, we will go up straight up.)

Malacañang's labor day package

Labog said the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) must forgo its usual labor day activities including job fairs, free basketball games, free movies, free train rides and let workers express themselves and their issues in the streets.

"DoLE's freebies and trivial activities are not helping the workers in any way. We need actual and concrete solutions to the widespread problem of wage scarcity, unemployment and poor working conditions," he said.

Labog said further that they are not satisfied with Malacanang's supposed labor-day package granting an Emergency Cost of Living Allowance (ECOLA) for workers. "Instead of hearing out our demands for a substantial wage increase, Malacanang is giving us series of oil price hikes and power rate increase," he said.

The KMU leader said that whatever amount in ECOLA that the government will grant will be quickly overwhelmed by the upcoming effects of the impending VAT increase and Napocor and Meralco power rate hikes.

The KMU has been pressing for a national legislated increase in minimum wages for all workers in the private sector. "Our demand for a P125 across-the-board, across-the-country is non-negotiable," Labog said. He also shunned the measly increases through the regional tripartite wages and productivity boards.

Joel Maglunsod, KMU secretary general, said that wage hikes through wage boards or ECOLA are nothing but trivial offerings to appease workers who have been outraged by the absence of wage hikes.  "With the great disparity between wages and cost of living, how can the government expect workers to cope with the increasing cost of public utilities, basic goods and services?" he said.

Maglunsod also slammed Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas for undermining the urgent need for wage hikes. In an interview with radio station DZRH, Sto. Tomas said DoLE and the regional wage boards are still studying the need to grant wage hikes since oil price hikes have yet to impact the prices of basic goods. Maglunsod said Sto. Tomas and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and other business groups have the same line of thinking when it comes to wage hike demands.

"Workers are always made to choose between hellish wages and unemployment when in fact we both need decent wages and job security," Maglunsod said.

Early Labor Day gift

In a separate statement, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan - New Patriotic Alliance) scored what they called an early Labor Day gift from the Macapagal-Arroyo administration. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) granted the National Power Corporation (Napocor) with a total P1.04/kwh rate increase on top of adjustments in generation rates and foreign currency adjustments.

Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr. said, "As if the previous provisional authority for a rate hike was not enough, the ERC and the Arroyo government want the people to shoulder more of Napocor's onerous debts."

Reyes said that the ERC seems to tell the consumers that it is okay to shoulder some P112 billion in Napocor debts, including onerous contractual obligations to profiteers independent power producers.

Bayan expects power rates to hit the roof in the coming months. The ERC estimate of a P180 increase in monthly bills for customers consuming 200 kwh a month is fairly conservative since it does not yet include the proposed VAT on generation, distribution and transmission charges. This may result in another P100/month increase according to the group's estimates.

History

Labog said Filipino workers from various factories, economic zones, industrial zones and work places nationwide are armed with the experience of the Marcos and Estrada ouster campaigns and are ready to continue and advance the oust Macapagal-Arroyo movement.

In February 1986, thousands of workers marched to Malacanañg to oust the dictator. Labog said in the past years before Marcos' downfall, the workers defied martial law by launching a widespread strike movement.

The KMU was also among the first national organizations that called for Estrada's ouster. Again, the KMU joined the Bayan contingent in the march to Mendiola on January 20, 2001.

Labog said, "We will celebrate KMU's 25 years of service to the Filipino workers. At the same time, we are tasked this year to direct our actions against the number enemy of workers and Filipino people – the US-Arroyo regime. No one and nothing can stop us from holding protests against Arroyo's corrupt and burdensome leadership." Bulatlat

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