INSTEAD of rejoicing, the Kilusang Mayo Uno yesterday condemned the National Capital Region Wage Board for approving a measly P22 Cost of Living Allowance for workers.

In a statement, KMU National chairperson Elmer Labog said the amount was infuriating.

“This additional COLA does not get anywhere near the significant P125 wage hike that we workers have long been clamoring for. It won’t give us real immediate relief amidst the rising prices of basic goods and services, especially petroleum products. Even the wage hike that we are demanding still won’t make wage levels approximate a living wage,” he said.

Labog said the added COLA shows that the government does not realize how much Filipino workers are suffering.

“It does not recognize that the current severe economic crisis will continue to affect the nation and the world in the coming years,” he added.

The militant leader condemned Malacañang, the Department of Labor and Employment and the regional wage boards for taking a month to put on a show of increasing wages only to approve a measly P22 additional COLA.

“Amidst the grinding poverty and extreme exploitation being faced by Filipino workers, the Aquino regime only approved a scanty additional COLA – a clear proof that it is subservient to big foreign and local capitalists. It is clear that all it can do is put on a show, offer band-aid solutions and try to make itself look good instead of implementing genuine pro-worker reforms,” he said. “This decision only proves once again that the regional wage board is a capitalist instrument for pressing down workers’ wages. It won’t give a significant wage increase even at a time when workers are in dire need, and should therefore be abolished.”

KMU also condemned big foreign and local capitalists for refusing to give higher pay.

“They try to make it appear that their businesses will be hurt if a nationwide P125 across-the-board wage increase is approved when it in fact will only mean a 15% reduction from their profits,” Labog said.

Crumbs

Progressive groups Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela said the P22 COLA is an  insult  to workers.

“This is light-years away from the substantial P125 across-the-board wage hike that workers have been fighting for. The government is literally spitting on our country’s workers. Its manifest siding with greedy employers shows that Mr. Aquino’s labor policy is no different from his predecessor,” Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said.

Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano said workers do not deserve alms and crumbs.

“It is high time to abolish the regional tripartite wages and productivity boards for its callous and inconsiderate determination of wage hikes for Filipino workers. Wage boards were created to undermine the workers’ just fight for a national minimum wage and serves only in securing the profit margins of employers and capitalists,” Ma-riano said.

Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan said the P22 COLA is useless.

“Inflation is already at 4.3% and many expect inflation to go further up in the coming months. This COLA increase is practically meaningless. Saan ba makakarating ang P22? Ni hindi mo mga masabing pampalubag-loob ang ha-lagang ito,” Ilagan said.