LABOR GROUPS MARCH TO MALACAÑANG, PRESS FOR WAGE INCREASE, CHIDE GMA’S MEASLY NON-WAGE BENEFITS

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.