Workers from several unions in the Manila port area held a Black Saturday Protest action at Recto Avenue corner Abad Santos avenue to amplify their call for a living wage amid economic hardships.
“Napakabigat ng trabaho sa pier. Lagpas 8-oras na bugbog ang katawan naming mga manggagawa pero hindi ito natatapatan ng sahod namin” said Rogelio Dioquino, a unionist from the Manila North Harbor.
(“The work at the pier is extremely demanding. We labor for over 8 hours, enduring physical strain, yet our wages do not match the effort we put in”)
The protesters assert that for the minimum wage to qualify as a living wage, it must be set at P1200, approximating the P1227 family living wage as computed by IBON Foundation.
Among those who participated were the Samahan ng Manggagawa – Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. (SMPSACC-NAFLU-KMU), Pambato Cargo Forwarder Labor Union (PCFLU-LAND-KMU), and unionists from the Manila North Harbor and Manila Harbor Center.
Port workers are also subjected to gruelling working conditions, often exposed to extreme heat while performing physically-intensive labor for more than 8 hours a day.
“Kung tutuusin, mababa pa ang P1200 para sa trabahong mabigat at lagpas otso oras, pero ito ang minimum na dapat matamasa ng lahat ng manggagawa.”
“Pero ang laban na ito ay hindi lang para sa nakabubuhay na sahod. Ito ay laban din para sa iba pa naming karapatan. Ito ay laban para sa dignidad naming mga manggagawang Pilipino.” added Dioquino.
(“If you think about it, ₱1,200 does not compensate our heavy work that goes beyond eight hours, but this is the bare minimum that all workers should receive.”
“This is not just a fight for living wages. It is also a fight for our other [labor] rights. It is a fight for our dignity as Filipino workers”)
KMU criticized the Marcos government for its labor policies and inaction which continue to drive workers into poverty, and deprive them of their basic needs.
“Nagtatrabaho pa ako sa pier ay ganito na ang kalagayan ng mga manggagawa! Sa Mayo Uno, singilin natin si Marcos sa patuloy na pagsasadlak sa mga manggagawa sa dustang kalagayan.” said KMU Secretary General and Makabayan senatorial bet KMU Jerome Adonis.
(“This was already the condition of workers when I worked at the piers! On May 1, we will hold Marcos accountable for continuously plunging workers into this dire state”)
“Kikilos kami sa Mayo Uno! Sa pier at sa buong bansa, living wage dapat! Ang panawagan namin, P1200 nationwide!” concluded Dioquino.
(“We will take action on May 1! We demand a living wage from the piers and across the Philippines! We demand ₱1,200 nationwide!”)