Workers won’t support war despite US assurance under MDT

Photo from Rappler

 

Filipino workers will never support any war even with the renewed assurance that the US will go side-by-side with the Philippines as provided under the Mutual Defense Treaty, said Partido Manggagawa (PM) in a statement, following US Vice President Kamala Harris’ meeting with President Marcos last Monday, November 21.

 

“We are for demilitarization and de-escalation of war threats in the West Philippine Sea and other regional flashpoints,” declared PM Chair Renato Magtubo, stating that the endless warmongerings between the two superpowers on WPS and Taiwan disputes do not serve the interest of the working people.

 

Magtubo argued that in every imperialist war, only foot soldiers and workers die in battle while the emperors and their generals partake with the booty. In the case of the Philippines, a war in the region is to the delight of giants whose agenda is global hegemony and control of trade routes.

 

“Hence, we call on governments of both the US and China to back off, demilitarize the oceans and let the peace-loving people of Asia enjoy genuine cooperation in the region,” said Magtubo.

 

The group asserts that rather than annihilation, war is better waged against poverty and inequality especially at a time the world’s people are facing multiple crises in health, the economy, and climate.

 

“In fact, Filipino workers have their own war to win - a Wage Increase for Wage Recovery or WIN WAR that the government of President Marcos must seriously address,” said Magtubo.

 

PM has been calling for a wage increase of P100 across-the-board to recover lost value of wages due to soaring inflation. 

22 November 2022

Fuel subsidies and cash aid are good but a wage hike is better—labor group

 

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) stated that targeted relief in response to inflation is welcome but a wage hike is the best safety net for all workers. “All workers have been affected by the surge in inflation and deserve a P100 across-the-board salary increase. We call on Congress to legislate this urgent relief for all,” demanded Rene Rene Magtubo, PM national chair and a city councilor of Marikina.

 

The group averred that P76 has been eroded from the P570 minimum wage in Metro Manila as a result of the continuous rise in prices. “We call for a new round of wage hikes to recover the lost purchasing power of workers not just in Metro Manila but in the whole country due to the surge in inflation,” added Magtubo.

 

Inflation in October reached 7.7%, significantly higher than the 6.9% in September. The October inflation figure was the highest recorded since December 2008, which was in the context of the onset of the global financial crisis. Notably, inflation is higher in areas outside Metro Manila.

 

PM’s demand for a wage hike is based on an initial computation by the Labor Education and Research Network. The computation for wage erosion took account of the rise in prices since the effectivity of the P570 minimum wage in Metro Manila last June 4.

 

“The P570 minimum wage in NCR is actually just worth P494 by October. P76 has been shaved off the real value of the minimum wage and workers are now poorer by that amount every day. Before the P33 minimum wage hike in June 2022, the minimum wage was P537. Meaning, not only has the P33 been effectively wiped out by inflation, workers’ wages have pushed back even further,” Magtubo explained.

 

He insisted that “Thus, we reiterate the call we made in May 2022—before the recent round of minimum wage hikes in June 2022 by different regional wage boards—for a P100 wage increase. This should be for all workers, not just those at the minimum, since all have suffered from wage erosion.”

 

The group clarified that the wage hike demand is merely wage recovery. “We are not yet even talking of workers claiming a just share in the fruits of their labor. From 2001 to 2016, real wages stagnated but labor productivity increased by 50% and the GDP doubled,” Magtubo maintained.

 

“Of course, employers will again create horror scenarios of closures and bankruptcy against the workers' demand for a wage hike. They will cry that they are suffering from the economic crisis even though they monopolized the gains of the decade and half-long business boom. Not only does the government owe workers due to unabated inflation but also employers are obligated to share the wealth created by the labor of the working class,” Magtubo expounded.

November 5, 2022

Fuel subsidies and cash aid are good but a wage hike is better—labor group

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) stated that targeted relief in response to inflation is welcome but a wage hike is the best safety net for all workers. “All workers have been affected by the surge in inflation and deserve a P100 across-the-board salary increase. We call on Congress to legislate this urgent relief for all,” demanded Rene Rene Magtubo, PM national chair and a city councilor of Marikina. The group averred that P76 has been eroded from the P570 minimum wage in Metro Manila as a result of the continuous rise in prices. “We call for a new round of wage hikes to recover the lost purchasing power of workers not just in Metro Manila but in the whole country due to the surge in inflation,” added Magtubo. Inflation in October reached 7.7%, significantly higher than the 6.9% in September. The October inflation figure was the highest recorded since December 2008, which was in the context of the onset of the global financial crisis. Notably, inflation is higher in areas outside Metro Manila. PM’s demand for a wage hike is based on an initial computation by the Labor Education and Research Network. The computation for wage erosion took account of the rise in prices since the effectivity of the P570 minimum wage in Metro Manila last June 4. “The P570 minimum wage in NCR is actually just worth P494 by October. P76 has been shaved off the real value of the minimum wage and workers are now poorer by that amount every day. Before the P33 minimum wage hike in June 2022, the minimum wage was P537. Meaning, not only has the P33 been effectively wiped out by inflation, workers’ wages have pushed back even further,” Magtubo explained. He insisted that “Thus, we reiterate the call we made in May 2022—before the recent round of minimum wage hikes in June 2022 by different regional wage boards—for a P100 wage increase. This should be for all workers, not just those at the minimum, since all have suffered from wage erosion.” The group clarified that the wage hike demand is merely wage recovery. “We are not yet even talking of workers claiming a just share in the fruits of their labor. From 2001 to 2016, real wages stagnated but labor productivity increased by 50% and the GDP doubled,” Magtubo maintained. “Of course, employers will again create horror scenarios of closures and bankruptcy against the workers' demand for a wage hike. They will cry that they are suffering from the economic crisis even though they monopolized the gains of the decade and half-long business boom. Not only does the government owe workers due to unabated inflation but also employers are obligated to share the wealth created by the labor of the working class,” Magtubo expounded. ### November 5, 2022

P76 have been shaved off the P570 minimum wage in NCR due to inflation

Photo from PhilStar

 

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) stated that P76 has been eroded from the P570 minimum wage in Metro Manila as a result of the continuous rise in prices. “We call for a new round of wage hikes to recover the lost purchasing power of workers not just in Metro Manila but in the whole country due to the surge in inflation. We call on Congress to legislate a P100 across-the-board salary increase for all workers as relief from the shock of rising prices,” declared Rene Magtubo, PM national chair and a city councilor of Marikina.

 

Inflation in October reached 7.7%, significantly higher than the 6.9% in September. The October inflation figure was the highest recorded since December 2008, which was in the context of the onset of the global financial crisis. Notably, inflation is higher in areas outside Metro Manila.

 

PM’s demand for a wage hike is based on an initial computation by the Labor Education and Research Network (LEARN-SENTRO). The computation for wage erosion took account of the rise in prices since the effectivity of the P570 minimum wage in Metro Manila last June 4.

 

“The P570 minimum wage in NCR is actually just worth P494 by October. P76 has been shaved off the real value of the minimum wage and workers are now poorer by that amount every day. Before the P33 minimum wage hike in June 2022, the minimum wage was P537. Meaning, not only has the P33 been effectively wiped out by inflation, workers’ wages have pushed back even further,” Magtubo explained.

 

He insisted that “Thus, we reiterate the call we made in May 2022—before the recent round of minimum wage hikes in June 2022 by different regional wage boards—for a P100 wage increase. This should be for all workers, not just those at the minimum, since all have suffered from wage erosion.”

 

The group clarified that the wage hike demand is merely wage recovery. “We are not yet even talking of workers claiming a just share in the fruits of their labor. From 2001 to 2016, real wages stagnated but labor productivity increased by 50% and the GDP doubled,” Magtubo maintained.

 

“Of course, employers will again create horror scenarios of closures and bankruptcy against the workers' demand for a wage hike. They will cry that they are suffering from the economic crisis even though they monopolized the gains of the decade and half-long business boom. Not only does the government owe workers due to unabated inflation but also employers are obligated to share the wealth created by the labor of the working class,” Magtubo expounded.

November 4, 2022

Ayuda for workers facing layoffs—labor group

 

In the face of an outbreak of mass layoffs, the labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) called on the government for ayuda for the affected workers. “By ayuda, we do not just mean immediate assistance to the thousands of workers who will become jobless in the coming months but institutionalized social protection for the entire labor force. Sa harap ng epidemya ng tanggalan, ayudang sapat para sa lahat ang sagot,” explained Rene Magtubo, PM national chair and Marikina city councilor.

 

This was the group’s reaction to the estimate by the garments industry association Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP) that some 9,450 to 10,800 workers may be laid off. CONWEP even forecasted a worst scenario of 27,000 retrenched workers or 10% of the total labor force in the apparel and wearable goods sector.

 

Just two weeks ago, the Sports City group of companies fired some 4,000 workers or one-fourth of its total workforce allegedly due to reduced orders from its clients. Sports City supplies to global garment brands Adidas, Under Armour, Saucony, New Balance and Lululemon.

 

“Aside from the mass layoffs at Sports City, workers also lost their jobs due to the temporary closure of Coca-Cola plants in Iloilo, Bohol, Davao, Cavite, Zamboanga, and Camarines Sur. Employees of Shopee were also fired revealing that retrenchments are along all sectors from manufacturing to services,” Magtubo elaborated.

 

He added that “The worsening economic crisis demands that the government set in place social protection systems that mitigate the impact on jobs, income, health and well-being of people. Social protection is one response to this challenge.”

 

PM is an affiliate of the labor coalition Nagkaisa which at the height of the pandemic demanded public employment, preferably in climate jobs, for unemployed workers over a period of 100 days to nine months at minimum wages or P10,000, whichever is higher. The coalition also called for wage subsidies equivalent to 75% of the prevailing minimum wage to save jobs of workers in micro, medium and small enterprises (MSMEs).

 

“If huge companies like Sports City and Coca-Cola are reeling from economic shocks, what more MSMEs, which comprise 90% of the total number of enterprises. By providing wage subsidies to workers in MSMEs, the government incentives them against shedding their employees. This also protects the purchasing power of workers which enables the economy to float instead of sink due to the crisis,” explained Magtubo.

 

In response to the demand for employment guarantees and wage subsidies by Nagkaisa, the DOLE undertook a study of a social protection floor which has remained unimplemented. “The DOLE should act now and not wait for another Sports City, another Coca-Cola or another Shopee,” Magtubo insisted.

October 14, 2022