The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said they are not backing out of their campaign for a salary hike.
"The fight for a wage hike has become a political necessity and an all-out war to improve the living conditions of poor workers," Pamalakaya chairman Fernando Hicap said in a statement.
Hicap branded as "defeatist" and a "political understatement" the claim of the Labor Solidarity Movement (LSM) that present economic conditions do not permit the filing of wage petitions.
"There is no truth to the claim of some labor organizations that the economy would collapse if employers grant a pay hike. Increasing the purchasing capacity of workers would make a buoyant turn in the condition of the economy," Hicap said.
For his part, Joel Maglunsod, KMU secretary for federation affairs, said there is an urgent need for a wage hike considering the severe economic crisis and the almost inhumane living conditions of workers and their families.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) earlier said it would be ready to grant a P125 increase in the daily take-home pay of workers nationwide if Congress would approve such a measure.
The LSM has announced plans to defer the filing of formal wage petitions with the regional boards. — Mayen Jaymalin