National trade union center Kilusang Mayo Uno joined the broadest flank of working Filipinos united under the All Workers Unity for a press conference at the University Hotel to denounce Malacanang’s pronouncement rejecting the call to certify the P200 legislated wage increase as urgent.
“Walang ni katiting na malasakit si Marcos sa mga manggagawa. Yung 200, pambawi lang sa tumaas na presyo ng mga bilihin ayaw pang ibigay.” said KMU Secretary General and Makabayan senatorial bet Jerome Adonis.
KMU also condemned the Palace’s position of deferring its mandate to ensure living wages for all workers to the Regional Wage Boards.
“Nakalimutan ata ni Bongbong kung bakit kami dumulog sa Kongreso. Sa mahabang panahon, pinako lang ng RWBs ang sahod namin sa mababang halaga. Wala kaming aasahang nakabubuhay na sahod sa RWB, dapat buwagin na yan!” added Adonis.
KMU asserted that this move from Marcos will spark further outrage from workers who have been deprived of living wages for decades under the defunct wage setting mechanism of the RWBs.
“Mga ka-manggagawa, wala tayong maaasahan sa gobyerno ni Marcos. Sa sama-samang paggigiit lang natin makakamtan ang P1200 nakabubuhay na sahod sa buong bansa.” said Jerome Adonis.