KMU: Govt should address job issues

Workers gather at the Mabuhay Rotonda on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, to mark Labor Day. INQUIRER PHOTO/GRIG MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines – The government, not the public, should address questions about jobless Filipinos, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) chair Elmer Labog said Thursday.

Labog issued the statement after Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director Oscar Albayalde said that the KMU should explain why there were jobless Filipinos in the country.

“Bakit ba umaalis ang mga investors sa atin? Papasukin ng KMU, i-i-instigate ‘yung unyon, and then magra-rally sila, ‘Yung investor mawawalan ng gana, uuwi sa kanila,” Albayalde said.

READ: Albayalde: KMU ‘sipsip’ and ‘epal’ remarks are ‘childish’

“I hope Gen. Albayalde would not pass on to us the major issues & responsibilities which are bothering our workers and people and which in the first place govt should address!” Labog told INQUIRER.net in a text message late Wednesday.

“Job creation is government’s responsibility, wage fixing or wage setting is also government’s responsibility, explaining why prices of basic necessity & services keep rising rests on their shoulder, also answering to the many ejks (extrajudicial killing) is likewise government responsibility to answer to. This issues are the very same issues which workers & the poor people are fighting for,” he added.

READ: Unemployment, underemployment lowest since 2009

According to Labog, the grievances of the workers became evident during the protest actions done on Labor Day across the country.

Militant groups and other labor organizations trooped first in Welcome Rotonda, in Quezon City before marching towards Mendiola Peace Arch in Manila, and ending its program in Liwasang Bonifacio.

Among the call of laborers is the end of contractualization and denounced the impending federalism in the country.

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“The mammoth crowd that attended today’s march & protests in Metro Manila & many regions (which for sure the police & Duterte government will downplay) is a testimony that they are in consonance with our demands!” Labog said.

“We believe they could easily relate & feel what we are talking about. They came on their own commitment & volition,” he added

According to police data, around 8,200 people participated in Labor Day demonstrations nationwide. /cbb