Kowloon House West workers voted “yes” in favor of launching a strike during a strike vote held on April 8. This is their response to the management’s continued refusal to implement the ₱104 wage increase mandated by the last three wage orders. Workers said even their appeal to receive at least ₱25 out of the ₱104 was rejected, with the capitalist offering only ₱13.

Adding to this severe wage suppression is the management’s refusal to release over ₱500,000 in Service Charge benefits that the union had previously won.

“While workers are being underpaid, Kowloon House is positioned to amass even bigger profits,” according to a Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) report. In fact, the company continues to open new branches and pay “consultants” who only delay negotiations for a new CBA. It is also set to raise prices of the product.

“Kowloon workers’ struggles reflect the experience of millions of Filipino workers today,” KMU said. The group called on workers to support the fight of Kowloon employees.

“The fight of Kowloon workers against profit-greedy capitalists is a fight of us all. It is one united struggle for the dignity of workers and our families,” it said.