The Kilusang Mayo Uno group once again called for action on their request to raise the minimum wage of workers in Metro Manila.
“Hindi na talaga kakayanin ng P537 minimum wage sa Metro Manila para buhayin ang isang pamilya na may limang miyembro lalo na po ‘yung sinasabi ng gobyerno na habang wala pa tayong vaccine at nasa process pa ito ang kailangan daw gawin ay palakasin ‘yung aming immune system,” said Jerome Adonis, secretary general of KMU.
In an interview with TeleRado Friday morning, Adonis said the strengthening of their immune system – which is important in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic – is based on the affordable food of their wages.
“Kulang na kulang, ‘di makakasapat, makaka-sustain para lumakas ‘yung resistensiya nung mga manggagawa na nagko-kontribute sa ating ekonomiya,” he said.
According to Adonis, they hope the regional wage board would immediately hear the request to increase the minimum wage in Metro Manila and other regions, especially with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“Hindi naman kami nanghihingi ng sahod para malugi ‘yung kumpanya. ‘Yung NCR Regional Tripartite [Wages and Productivity Board] ay magpatawag na ng hearing. Nandoon naman ‘yung proposal namin, natengga pa ito nong Nobyembre 25, 2019,” he said.
KMU calls for higher minimum wage for Meto Manila workers
He said the national government needs to come in here to help the workers.
“Hindi naman po kami magmamatigas doon sa punto na ia-assert namin ang maximum na kahilingan basta ma-justify nila ‘yung kanilang negosyo kaya very concerned din kami doon sa maliit pero doon po sa malalaki wala silang rason kahit may pandemya para hindi maibigay ‘yung makatwiran at makatarungang kahilingan ng mga manggagawa sa panahon ng pandemya,” he insisted.
Maria Criselda Sy, Executive Director of the National Wages and Productivity Board, explained that the petition was not acted upon immediately because of the pandemic.
“Dahil nga nagkaroon ng pademya, nagkaroon ng resolution ‘yung NCR na sinu-suspend muna ‘yung wage proceedings dahil sa pandemic. ‘Yung procedure natin for minimum wage determination naka-default siya sa face-to-face procedure, hindi na ‘yun nagawa because of the pandemic,” Sy said.