National labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno launched a nationally coordinated action on February 16. Its NCR-based formations held their action at the EDSA People Power Monument.
KMU carried the banner call “Sahod, hindi Cha-cha,” and asserted that wages can and must be raised significantly without need to amend the Constitution. The group stated that Marcos’ Cha-cha would, in fact, lead to further depression of wages contrary to government promises of economic development.
“Yang Cha-cha ni Marcos, mas lalo lang papahirapan ang mga manggagawa. Syempre, gagawin ng gobyerno ang lahat para lang makaakit ng mga dayuhang mamumuhunan. Ang ending niyan magsastay ang mababang sahod, lalala ang kontraktwalisasyon, at magbubuwag ng mga unyon para di makalaban ang mga manggagawa. Ang makakalasap lang niyang ‘development’ ay mga dayuhan at malalaking korporasyon” said Jerome Adonis, KMU secretary general.
The group also declared that they will mobilize workers across the country on the celebration of the EDSA People’s Power Anniversary this February 25.
“Nasa EDSA kaming mga manggagawa nung EDSA 1. Andoon din kami noong EDSA 2. Hindi namin hinayaang maghari ang interes ng mga gahaman at mandarambong noon at hindi namin hahayaang maghari ang mga dayuhan at iilan ngayon. Ipagpatuloy namin ang laban para sa lupa, kabuhayan, karapatan, at kasarinlan!” added Jerome Adonis.
KMU called on workers to speak up, launch protests, and intensify struggles for wage increase and against Charter Change.