KMU renews vow to fight for p125-wage hike

MANILA, Philippines - As workers returned to start a new year, militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) vowed to continue its fight for a P125-wage hike. KMU chairman Elmer Labog said the P125-wage hike is much needed amid a global meltdown whose effects will be felt this year. "Anuman ang mangyari, buong-buong haharapin ng KMU ang mga banta sa hanay ng mga manggagawa, ipaglalaban ang konkretong hakbanging magtatanggol sa karapatan ng mga manggagawa sa gitna ng lalong pag-iipit sa kanila sa pagtindi ng krisis (Whatever happens, the KMU will fight threats to the ranks of workers. It will fight for concrete measures to protect their rights, especially in the face of this crisis)," he said in an article on the KMU website. He said the KMU will also fight for the release of detained labor leaders and the establishment of more labor unions. Labog reminded laborers they are the engine of growth and have the right to benefits, especially those stemming from needed reforms. The labor leader added that they will face the New Year with hope and action. With the global economic crisis, we must fight joblessness, loss of job security and abuses by capitalists. He said that in 2008, 159,000 lost their jobs in the manufacturing sector, 10,000 in transport, storage and communication sector, and 4,000 in the financial intermediation sector. Labog also twitted labor secretary Marianito Roque for claiming a wage hike is out of the question at this time. "Huwag namang pababain ni Sec. Roque ang moral ng mga manggagawa sa pagpasok ng bagong taong ito. Mag-ingat siya sa kanyang mga sinasabi, at lalo sa kanyang mga gagawin, dahil ang mga pahayag niyang nangunguna sa pagpapabagsak pang lalo ng kalagayan ng mga manggagawa sa taong ito ay tiyak na ikasasama ng loob, at ikagagalit, ng hanay namin (Roque should not bring down workers' morale this new year. He should watch what he says and what he does, lest he earn the ire of workers)," Labog said. - GMANews.TV