P20 ECOLA increase, insult to workers -– CPP
June 25, 2004

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today branded NCR Wage Order #10 calling for a P20 increase in the "emergency cost of living allowance" (ECOLA) in Metro Manila as "practically nil and extremely insulting."

CPP Spokesperson Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal said that the additional P20 ECOLA fails to address the Filipino workers’ longstanding demand for a substantial increase in their wages in the face of sharp increases in the daily cost of living.

He explained that the daily cost of living for a family of six now stands at more than P500. "The P250/day official minimum wage and P50 daily ECOLA is woefully inadequate and will not have any impact on the widespread impoverishment of workers." Rosal also lambasted the miserly tactic of increasing the ECOLA instead of basic wages as it intentionally precludes any increase in fringe benefits.

The CPP spokesperson said that the Arroyo government’s adamant refusal to raise wages has been one of the hallmarks of Arroyo's anti-worker presidency. He pointed out that workers’ wages have not been hiked since 2001, the year before Arroyo took power.

Rosal also assailed the 15-year-old system of wage regionalization, saying that it has been nothing but an instrument wielded by government and capitalists to divide the ranks of workers, trivialize the wage issue and push down real wages.

Rosal reiterated the CPP’s support to the widespread demand for a substantial increase in the wages of Filipino workers. The demand is just, necessary and very urgent, he said. He stressed that workers should struggle for a national minimum wage and demand the abolition of the system of regional wage boards.

Reference:
Anne Buenaventura
Media Officer
Cellphone Number: +63910-240-3553

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P20 ECOLA increase, insult to workers -– CPP June 25, 2004

P20 ECOLA increase, insult to workers -– CPP
June 25, 2004