The union was also able to clinch other benefits even in the middle of the pandemic, such as free boarding, free meals, door-to-door shuttle service, an additional P220 meal allowance, free testing, an additional 14-day sick leave for those who test positive for COVID-19, free face masks, face shields, and vitamins, among others.
“Why would you file a case against a person who has been afflicted by the virus when the government response has been slow and marred with wrong priorities?”
KMU condemned the police’s “criminal act” as direct and dangerous attacks against labor unionists and other human rights defenders.
Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said the domestic remedies are no longer enough, noting the trend of police “planting evidence” with impunity.
By DEE AYROSO
“For 39 years, national labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) has been at the forefront of Filipino workers’ struggle for living wages, regular jobs and democratic rights.”
“There are more than 20 million contractual workers in the country. Until we see massive regularization, expect more workers to flood the streets in protest.”
Marklen Maojo Maga, 39, was arrested by policemen in plainclothes at around 8:40 a.m. after he brought his son to school. It was only in the evening that his family and lawyers confirmed that he is being held at the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group compound in Camp Crame.
The consensus among labor groups is that contractual workers constitute at least half of the employed, and in many instances, up to eight in every 10 employed.
Change for the families of working people seems to be getting farther rather than nearer: 2017 began with government declarations of intention to raise various taxes and workers contributions such as oil excise tax, beverage tax, SSS, among others.
“Workers will push for their demands for the junking of contractualization and the implementation of a National Minimum Wage in the amount of P750, amidst their worsening hunger and poverty.”