Tuesday, May 02, 2006 (Philippines)

Riot police block protesters on their march towards Mendiola leading to Malacañang. (Ap photo) President Arroyo didn’t grant a wage increase for workers yesterday, but she announced a P40 billion package of benefits for both government and private workers during her Labor Day address. The package includes P20 billion for the third tranche of salary standardization for government workers to be given next year, and the condonation of P11.6 billion worth of loan surcharges and penalties by Social Security System (SSS) and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). It also includes P1 billion in income tax exemptions for minimum wage earners. [full story]