Labor Day protest set today

Saturday, April 30, 2011

THE Bagond Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) in Southern Mindanao Region will be joining Sunday's nationwide protest to commemorate Labor Day.

Franchie Buhayan, secretary-general of Bayan, said the mass protest aims to call the attention of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III to act on their demands, such as a stop on oil price increases and the 12 percent valued added tax.

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She said while the labor sector has continued to suffer from poverty, Aquino has remained silent on their demand for P125 across-the-board salary increase.

Buhayan said Aquino's silence on the matter only showed his "inconsideration to the public's welfare."

Buhayan added the country's top corporations earn billions of profits, in contrast to the dismal condition of workers whose wages have increased four times only since 2001.

Buhayan appealed to the public to join the protest along the streets of the city.

At the same time, more than a thousand members of Samahan ng mga Maralitang Kababihang Nagkakaisa (Samakana) is to join the protest to push for the P125 increase in the minimum wage.

Cora Espinosa, Samakana Mindanao chair, said the occasion is fit "for the organization to raise issues against women and laborers. The Labor Day celebration has always symbolized the frustrations of the people."