LEADERS of multi-sectoral federations and labor organizations in Negros Occidental gathered on Monday, April 30, in a Church-People-Worker Solidarity forum convened by Rev. Fr. Chris Gonzales, director of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Bacolod.
The labor organizations included Migrante, Kilusang Mayo Uno, National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), Buklod ng Mamamayang Pilipino, Partido ng Manggagawa Negros and others.
The solidarity forum was held to drumbeat their call to end labor contractualization in the country that has favorably served the welfare of the employers, but to the detriment of the labor sector.
Gonzales said various leaders came up with a common stand to end the labor contracting scheme and impose a national minimum wage of P750 per day.
For now, the minimum wage in Bacolod City is P323.50 which is not enough to meet a family's basic needs.
Christian Tuayon, secretary-general of NFSW and chairman of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Negros (Bayan-Negros), said they have a unity statement which will be released today for the observance of the Labor Day.
They also held a solidarity night at the Department of Labor and Employment compound in Bacolod City yesterday in preparation for the Labor Day celebration today.
They have reiterated their common stand to call for the end of labor contractualization in the Philippines, implement a national minimum wage of P750 per day and pushed to stop regionalizing the Wage Board.
“We want to continue our fight to protect the welfare of the workers by pressing the imposition of a just, rightful and livable salary for our workers,” Tuayon said.
He said about 2,000 laborers in Negros Occidental are expected to march from the Provincial Park and Lagoon to the public plaza today at 8 a.m. today.
Their guest speaker will be John Butch Lozande, national secretary-general of the Union ng Manggagawa sa Agricultura.