Cebu workers ask P750-minimum wage in rally on Araw ng Kagitingan

Members of the AMA Sugbu-KMU, ALSA Kontrakwal express their frustration over the failure of the government to keep its promises during a rally to mark the Araw ng Kagitingan. Photo by Junjie Mendoza / Inquirer Visayas

CEBU CITY – As the country marks today the Araw ng Kagitingan, labor groups went to the streets to express their frustration over the administration’s failure to fulfill its promise to end contractualization and provide better wages.

Around 30 workers gathered at Colon Street in downtown Cebu City to air their grievances against the government.

“The real heroes of our country now are the laborers. Without them, the economy will be affected. I hope the government will give dignity to our workers by giving a good salary,” said Jaime Paglinawan, chairman of Bayan (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan)–Central Visayas.

He said they were asking the government to give a P750-minimum wage across the country so they could keep up with the price increase of basic commodities.

Paglinawan said President Duterte has also not realized his promise to end contractualization.

Instead of being assured of better jobs, he said thousands of contractual employees were put out of work because the administration has yet to end the practice of contractualization.

“I hope we would soon get a good salary and an end to contractualization,” Paglinawan said.