Progressive groups press for wage hike in Labor Day rally

May 1, 2024

Members of Workers for People’s Liberation (WPL) and other labor groups flock on Recto Avenue in Manila for a Labor Day protest on May 1, 2024. (Photo by Jewyz Ann Bunyi/The Manila Warden) 

Several progressive groups staged a massive protest calling for a legislated wage increase on Labor Day, May 1, 2024.  

The Workers for People’s Liberation (WPL), Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), and other labor organizations gathered on España Boulevard and Recto Avenue in Manila.  

“Kaya dapat isigaw natin na hindi na tayo nabubuhay sa minimum na pasahod. Kailangan na natin ng dagdag at kailangang gawin ito sa paraang legislated, hindi sa pamamagitan ng wage board,” WPL Secretary General Primo Amparo said. 

The protesters were calling for the House of Representatives to enact the P150 legislated wage hike immediately, which is considered the only “first pivotal step” to actualize a P750 daily wage increase intended to represent living wages. 

Amparo added that the Congress and Senate should junk the Charter Change as it would worsen the living conditions of the working class.  

“Ang kanilang ipapatupad [ay] lalong luluwagan ang pagpapasok ng mga dayuhang negosyante na ang dadalhin nilang negosyo rito ay pawang mga latak, mga labis na produksyon mula sa kanilang sariling bansa upang tayo ay gawing tambakan,” he said.  

The WPL held their program on Recto Avenue instead of Mendiola Street, which was blocked by the police.  

Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), Manibela, and other transport groups also joined the Labor Day protest in line with the last day of the traditional jeepney consolidation coinciding on the same day. 

The transport groups went on a three-day strike from April 29 to May 1 to call for delaying the deadline of the consolidation and appeal for rehabilitation instead. 

Not beneficial 

Protesters raise their banners at España Street during the Labor Protest on May 1, 2024. (Photo by Hyacinth Kate Villanueva/The Manila Warden)

Meanwhile, WPL argued that Filipino workers did not get any benefit after 35 years of the enactment of the Wage Rationalization Law. 

“Legislated wage increase ang demand namin. Actually, mayroon na itong simula eh. Actually, a month ago, naipasa na ng senado ‘yung P100 wage increase. Bagamat kulang ‘yon pero mas mabuti na yon kesa sa wage board.” Amparo told The Manila Warden. 

RA 6727, or the Wage Rationalization Act of 1989, provides guidelines for wage increases in private sectors in the Philippines, where the minimum wage setting differs from region to region. 

“Marami silang allegation ‘di ba? Sinasabi nila na hindi ‘to pakikinabangan ng mga manggagawa lalo na ‘yung informal sectors at tsaka ‘yung iba pang mamamayan. ‘Yun ay kalokohan. Kasi kapag binigyan mo ng dagdag na sweldo ‘yung mga manggagawa, syempre tataas yung purchasing capacity. Mattrigger ‘yung kailangang pagpapalaki ng supply ng mga magsasaka, ng mga mangingisda. Kaya, actually, mag-iistiimulate siya ng ekonomiya sa ating bayan,” Amparo said when asked about why the government refuses to approve the bill. 

At a press conference last February 26, lawmakers pressed the need for thorough deliberations on the bills filed for wage hikes in the Congress to ensure fair regulation considerations for all parties, including the economic growth of the Philippines. 

“Pag mag karoon ng additional purchasing capacity, tataas yung benta nila. So, hindi totoong ang dagdag na sahod ay hindi sa kapakinabangan ng lahat. Ito ay sa kapakinabangan ng lahat,” the WPL secretary general said.  

- Jewyz Ann Bunyi & Hyacinth Kate Villanueva