Workers seek more tax relief

MANILA, Philippines - After more than two years of negotiations with the government, workers are hoping President Aquino will finally grant higher tax exemptions and other benefits this coming Labor Day.

Gerard Seno, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) executive vice president, said various labor groups already presented their Labor Day demands to the government.

Seno said the labor sector had raised eight issues during Labor Day of 2012 and after two years of discussions with concerned government agencies, President Aquino should now act on their demands.

Seno said members of the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, including the TUCP, met with various government agencies to thresh out issues concerning their demands.

Among their demands, Seno said, are enhancement on minimum wage taxation, elimination of contractualization, institutionalization of core labor standards, cheaper power rate and affordable housing program.

Workers also sought protection of the workers’ right to organize, approval of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill and labor participation in the implementation of rehabilitation programs in Yolanda-affected areas.

Organized labor also want Aquino to make an unequivocal commitment to his promised regular dialogue with Nagkaisa Labor Coalition on emergent issues affecting the working class.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the President already ordered concerned government agencies to look into the demands of organized labor.

She said various government agencies are expected to submit their recommendations to the President next week.

Seno said Aquino and the labor groups always have disagreements every time they meet over the traditional Labor Day breakfast.

He said labor groups spent substantial amount and time for the series of meetings to make the government aware of issues affecting workers.