Labor unions in Davao City are calling on the government to give proper benefits to workers during the 124th Labor Day celebration.

Members of 48 labor unions under the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) gathered to voice out their demands, including a P200 across-the-board wage increase, tax exemption for workers earning below P50,000, and a P5,000 subsidy for minimum wage earners amid the ongoing economic crisis.

“Nag file man gud mi og P200 increase, across-the-board pero hangtod karon walay plenaryo sa kongreso. Ginabalewala nila despite of grabe ang crisis, stagnant ang atoang salary pero ang mga presyo sa palaliton, pati sa gsaolina nagataas. Dili na po ka survive amoang mga manggagawa karon,” ALU-TUCP Southern Mindanao Spokesperson, Melba Tampakan, said.

Union leaders said the current wages are no longer enough due to the rising prices of basic goods, fuel, and other daily necessities.

“Middle class nato ang nagasahod og P50K pababa. Wala na untay tax kay para maka-take home pud sila naa sa 6K to P8K,” Tampakan added.

They also urged the suspension of excise tax, the implementation of wealth tax.

“Klaro kaayo nga kung ang excise tax ang tanggalon, naay mga programa nga naka budget na ana like health, infrastructure and uban pa nga matengga o matanggal, makuhaan. So, didto ta sa pagtax sa mga adunahan, billionaires, ang taxes sa ilahang properties like luxurious cars, equipment nga kinahanglan nato nga i-tax kay klaro kaayo nga wala gyud na balance ang atong taxation,” Pepsi Cola Employees and Workers Union President, Mercy Abucayon, said.

Other labor groups under the Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) also joined the Labor Day protest, calling for their wages, better benefits, and stronger labor protection policies.