Labor groups seek P125 pay increase

Militant labor and cause-oriented groups demanded yesterday an immediate P125 across-the-board wage increase to cushion the impact of the latest oil price hike.

Leaders of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and party-list group Bayan Muna said they will ask Congress to immediately enact a pending measure providing the increase for all workers nationwide.

"As soon as Congress opens, leaders of KMU and other labor unions will lobby for the immediate passage of the bill for a legislated wage hike and the scrapping of the regionalized system of wages," KMU spokesman Sammy Malunes said during a picket at the Makati offices of the leading oil companies yesterday.

During the same rally, Sanlakas spokesperson Michelle Licudine said they are also campaigning against the policy of tuition free deregulation and the Omnibus Power Sector Reform Bill.

She described the oil price adjustments, tuition fee hikes and the power bill as a "post-election triple whammy" on the ordinary consumer.

Last month, KMU pushed for a legislated across-the-board wage hike. But on Labor Day, there was no such increase for workers nationwide.

Instead, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas announced a package of benefits that will help all workers, including those from the informal sector and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Sto. Tomas noted that the granting of salary hikes is beyond the power of the President. She explained that other than a legislated hike that can be granted by Congress, only the regional tripartite wages and productivity board (RTWPBs) can order a salary increase on its own or upon the petition of workers.

Sto. Tomas said that contrary to the claim of militant labor that Mrs. Arroyo promised to grant an across-the-board salary hike, the matter is not in the list of programs to be implemented in her first 100 days of office.

Malunes said non-wage benefits are not enough to help workers improve their lives because of the high cost of basic commodities.

"The package of benefits they (the government) are proposing will not help workers tide their families over," he said. – With Sandy Araneta