More groups join Labor Day rally to demand higher pay

RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—The cries for higher wages grew louder Thursday afternoon as various groups joined workers at the Labor Day rally at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

‎Public transportation drivers, various unions of teachers, government, bank, call center, telecommunication employees took part in the May 1 rally to denounce the government for refusing to grant minimum wage hike.

George San Mateo, leader of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston), told INQUIRER.net that drivers were supporting the workers’ demand for higher pay.

“Sinusuportahan namin sila kasi; sila rin pasahero namin sa jeep. Karamihan maliit ang sweldo, contractual employees,”‎ he added.

(We are in solidarity with them because they are our passengers. Many are wage earners and contractual employees.)

A former taxi driver of five years, San Mateo currently drives for a living for Monumento to Baclaran ‎route alongside his commitment to Piston as its chair.

He said around 400 to 500 drivers participated in Thursday’s rally.

Other groups also criticized the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board, which decides and sets wage rates.

“Ang P125 ngayon, P83 lang talaga. Kailan man hindi papasok ang Kilusang Mayo Uno sa gusto ng government na kunin ang sahod sa regional wage board,” Lito Ustarez, KMU executive vice chairperson said.

Militant groups will also burn an effigy ‎of President Benigno Aquino III dubbed  as “Noynoy puppetnoid, robot ng Imperyalistang US.”

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