“This is the good news that the Filipino workers and people want: a significant wage hike and the junking of the 12% Expanded Value-Added Tax on petroleum products. Anything less won’t quell our protests.”
This is labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno’s reaction to presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda’s statement that Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III will himself announce “a good news” on this year’s Labor Day.
“It is clear that President Aquino is rattled by the growing clamor and intensifying protests for an immediate economic relief from increases in the prices of basic goods and services, especially of petroleum products. He has shifted his position on the people’s demands on wage and oil products from hard-core opposition to a more conciliatory approach,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog.
“But we are warning the President: anything less than a significant wage hike and the junking of the E-VAT on oil won’t provide immediate economic relief to the Filipino workers and people and as such won’t stop our protests,” he added.
Labog enumerated two concrete measures which will provide immediate economic relief to the Filipino workers and people.
“One, he should certify as urgent the passage of House Bill 375 filed by Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael Mariano which seeks the legislation of a P125 across-the-board wage hike nationwide. We want a legislated wage hike because that is the only way we can get a substantial increase, and we want it across-the-board nationwide so that even non-unionized and contractual workers can benefit from the increase,” Labog said.
“Two, he should junk the 12% E-VAT on petroleum products. That will reduce oil prices by as much as P7.00 per liter. He should also conduct a genuine and open investigation on the overpricing being implemented by the oil cartel. He should stop issuing empty pa-pogi threats to the oil cartel and do something concrete to punish the overpricing of oil products,” he added.
“If President Aquino fails to announce these much-needed reforms, he should brace himself for bigger protests in the coming months. Anything less than a significant wage hike and the junking of the E-VAT on oil products is just a cheap attempt to douse with cold water the people’s burning outrage and protests,” Labog said.
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from: www.kilusangmayouno.org
The good news we want: significant wage hike, junking of oil E-VAT
Peacetalks
- GPH undermines basic peace agreements, refuses to respect and comply with JASIG
- Compliance with JASIG and the Oslo Joint Statements is not a precondition but an obligation
- GPH Negotiating Panel Chairperson Padilla gives notice of no formal talks next month
- Closing statement on the GPH-NDFP formal peace talks in Oslo
- Peace panels hold preliminary informal meetings in Hong Kong
Human Rights
- Aquino violated every key labor right this year – KMU
- “Stop the killings, violence and intimidation in Pangarap Village!”
- PH election to UN rights council called an embarrassment
- CHR report on Melissa Roxas practically clears AFP in torture -- Bayan
- BAYAN condemns killing of local leader in Batangas
Workers
- [2 + 2 talks] Aquino, a modern-day Aguinaldo – KMU
- Gov’t trying to dupe public with flawed employment definition – KMU
- Workers to keep watch on Corona impeachment trial
- Protesta mga magsasaka, sasalubungin ng mga manggagawa at mamamayan
- A day before Congress committee meeting Solons told: Stop Cha-cha
Peasants
- Vested interests taint Aquino’s Candidacy ABSTENTION FROM CARPER VOTE IN ’09 REVEALS REAL AGENDA
- Farmers, youth to Noynoy: Expect more protests for Hacienda Luisita Issue
- Noynoy should take responsibility and rectify the failure of the Corazon Aquino administration to implement genuine agrarian reform – Satur
- NORMIN FARMERS JOINS HACIENDA LUISITA STRUGGLE, URGES NOYNOY TO JUNK MEMO
- Land reform, justice for rights victims key to resolving Luisita conflict
Youth & Students
- UP student councils tag Noynoy as Arroyo’s heir
- KABATAAN Partylist remembers Beng Hernandez, writer martyr
- KABATAAN Partylist STORMS COMELEC: DEMANDS RESUMPTION OF VOTER’S REGISTRATION
- UP Students Dance Against Cha-Cha
- Christian Students Dismayed Over Dismissal of Petition for Writ of "Landmark Cases"
Women& Children
- [2 + 2 talks] Aquino, a modern-day Aguinaldo – KMU
- Gov’t trying to dupe public with flawed employment definition – KMU
- Workers to keep watch on Corona impeachment trial
- Protesta mga magsasaka, sasalubungin ng mga manggagawa at mamamayan
- A day before Congress committee meeting Solons told: Stop Cha-cha
Imperialism
- Bayan tells Aquino: “US troops already basing in PH”
- No to extension and expansion of US military operations in PH!
- US military buildup is biggest threat to regional peace – Bayan
- End imperialist plunder, repression and war! Defend Philippine sovereignty and patrimony against the onslaught of imperialism!
- Bayan holds rally to mark 20th anniversary of bases treaty rejection
