Home | To bottom

KMU-Cordi tags Arroyo queen of liars

For abandoning wage increase

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 11) —Kilusang Mayo Uno-Cordillera criticized anew President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for retracting her earlier statement supporting the long demand of the workers for a legislated increase.

In a statement, KMU said that Arroyo had been lying and giving empty promises to the Filipino people.

“It seems that Arroyo is unbeatable in being the queen of liars, she cannot be trusted in anyway,” the statement added. “It is very clear that Arroyo has always been pro-capitalists and is not serious into looking into the rights and welfare of our country’s working class,” KMU said.

“Earlier, Arroyo boasted that she wanted a legislated wage increase so that the workers can cope up with the impact of E-VAT on the prices of goods and services. But when she was warned by her economic managers and the business capitalists that the economic viability will be affected, she immediately withdrew her promise. Arroyo is much frantic in getting the impressions of the business sector to solicit favors to cling to her seat,” KMU made clear.

Malacañang announced that effective January 1, 2006, E-VAT will increase to 12% from 10%. Last November, the 10%-VAT was imposed on some previously non-VAT goods and services. The KMU national office said that the additional tax would be the last nail for the coffin of the starving workers.

On November 9, the government said that it will stick to its “no wage hike policy” after the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) announced that EVAT is not a valid factor in granting such wage increases.

KMU national Chairperson Elmer “Bong” Labog said that wage boards could never be relied on when it comes to wage-related issues. “The government formed the wage boards to guard the interests of employers and investors, and undermine the struggle of the labor sector for higher wages,” Labog said.

KMU-Cordillera vowed to continue its protest-actions in demanding P125 legislated wage increase and scrapping the EVAT law.

“With this, we will not stop joining the nation in calling for the ouster of the liar, fascist, and fake president from Malacañang,” KMU concluded. # Aldwin Quitasol/KMU-Cordillera

Home | Back to top