By: Jetaime Kaina Cerbito
Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and several labor sectors gathered at the Liwasang Bonifacio Manila. Photo Courtesy: Eah Marie Dino.
Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and various labor sectors commemorated Labor Day with a protest calling for ?1,200 minimum wage, labor reforms, and to expedite wage hike bill on Thursday, May 1, at the Liwasang Bonifacio Square.
Labor groups cite data from the IBON Foundation, which revealed regional productivity grew by 62% between 2000 and 2023, while the minimum wage increased by only 9%, asserting that this imbalance necessitates a significant wage adjustment.
According to the foundation, the Family Living Wage for a family of five is equivalent to ?1,222, while the daily nominal minimum wage rate is only ?645 in the National Capital Region, revealing a ?577 wage gap.
Ahead of the protest, 30 labor organizations, joined by Makabayan senatorial candidates, presented a unified labor agenda advocating key reforms in wages and contractualization, as well as pushing for ?1,200 minimum wage nationwide.
Beyond advocating for a wage increase, the labor agenda outlines key priorities as the election approaches, including securing stable and dignified employment, upholding workers' rights to unionize and associate freely, enhancing public services, and ensuring fair taxation by targeting billionaires rather than workers.
It also calls for urgent climate action, agricultural and industrial development, the elimination of discrimination and abuse, and the dismantling of political dynasties and corruption to ensure accountability.
“Karapatan ng bawat manggagawa ang nakabubuhay na sahod. At tanging ang mga tunay na representante nila ang lalaban para makamtan ito. Nararapat lang na singilin ito ng mga manggagawa sa mga nakaupo at nag-aasam na umupo sa gobyerno,” KMU Secretary General Jerome Adonis stated.
In an exclusive interview with The LANCE, GABRIELA, a well-known political party dedicated to advancing women's rights and empowerment, expressed their support for labor workers’ battle for better reforms and wage rates.
“Tayo ay nakikiisa at nakikipaglaban sa patuloy na panagawan [ng mga manggagawa] sa kanilang iba’t ibang suliranin,” said Leni, a protester from GABRIELA.
“Sa mga kabataan, dapat maintindihan nila at talagang suportahan nila ang laban ng mga manggagawa lalo na sa usapin ng sahod at sa kanilang mga karapatan,” she added.
Advocates for farmers and fishers Artista ng Rebolusyong Pangkultura (ARPAK) were also present during the rally, voicing how the plight of the labor sector affects students and ordinary people.
“Bilang mga estudyante dudugtong dugtong lahat yan sa usapin ng matrikula, pamasahe,” ARPAK’s Acting Chairperson Mik Collado said.
“Panawagan na makita sana natin na hindi nalalayo ‘yong araw araw na [dinaranas] natin sa pang kabuuang larawan, na kung paano natin nararanasan ‘yong krisis sa ekonomiya. Kaya syempre panawagan, kumilos at makiisa,” he added.
Calls to expedite the implementation of the wage hike bill were also made, emphasizing that more than a year has passed since the Senate approved Senate Bill 2534, which seeks to implement a ?100 increase in the daily minimum wage for private sector workers.