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April 21, 2004
The
Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) and other labor groups marched to Malacañang
this morning under the Broad Alliance for Wage Increase or BAWI
to deliver its letter to President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo demanding for the immediate implementation of a wage increase for
both public and private sector workers.
BAWI is demanding for an additional P65 daily wage and P3,500
monthly wage increase for private and public workers, respectively.
It was reported that Pres. Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo supports the demand for wage increases but would rather leave the
decision to increase the minimum wage to the various Regional Tripartite
Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB) nationwide. It was reported that
government is seriously considering the granting of non-wage benefits to
the country’s workers in time for May 1.
"While we can appreciate Malacañang's
positive response to our proposal for a wage increase, however their
proposal for non-wage package is very problematic. At best it is very
insufficient; worse it seems that Malacañang
is merely looking for good sound bytes," Daniel L. Edralin,
APL Chairperson said. "Their package may benefit only a few, if any
at all," he added.
Last April 19, BAWI, a coalition comprising of 20 labor organizations
representing about half of the ranks of organized labor in the country,
held a press conference to call on the President to use her executive
powers in granting their demand.
While Congress is in recess, Malacañang can
send a clear signal to the Wage Boards to immediately act on the workers'
demand for wage increase. "After all, in our experience, the Wage
Boards only act when they have the imprimatur of Malacañang,"
Edralin added.
The minimum wage has been eroded many times with the steep rise in the
prices of oil and other goods since the last round of wage adjustment two
years ago. In the National Capital Region (NCR), inflation has eaten up 7
percent of the minimum wage since February 2002. And according to the
estimates of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the
minimum wage is expected to further erode by at least 5 percent before the
year ends. This situation prompted the labor groups to unite and demand
for a common wage increase before the May elections.
In response to other labor groups’ demands, the APL said that what is
important here is the unified stand of the workers for a wage increase.
_________________________
Contact
Person: Josua Mata (0917) 794-2431
Related links
Laborers press for P65
hike in wages
- inq7.net
Workers demand GMA and K4 platform for full employment!
Unite our ranks and struggle for wage increase
Letter to the editor on 11% unemployment rate rise
January 2004 LFS Results: Open Unemployment Rises as Jobs Crisis Persists
Year-end Report:Jobs crisis worsens despite strong economic growth
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