Kilusang Mayo Uno

pinilak ang pakikibaka ng mga manggagawa sa pangunguna ng Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)

NEWS RELEASE

December 16, 2005

Workers to DOLE, Malacanang: “Tax exemption is good but we need cash”

Militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said they will further persist in demanding for a legislated P125 wage increase for workers in the private sector even if Malacanang has announced to issue an executive order exempting minimum wage earners from paying the 10 percent withholding tax.

“Tax exemption is good but we need cash. We have nothing against tax exemptions, but frankly it is not enough,” said KMU Secretary General Joel Maglunsod.  According to Maglunsod, only 14% of workers in Metro Manila will benefit from the recent order of DOLE because they are receiving minimum wage earners.

“For tax-exemptions to be really felt by the majority of our workers, Malacañang should pass the proposed House Bill by Cong. Teodoro Casiño, wherein the exemption bracket is based on the Daily Cost of Living.  Those who are earning below the current daily cost of living of P681 a day are to be to waive paying 10% withholding tax,” proposed Maglunsod.

The labor leader said that tax exemptions and other non-wage benefits must be supplementary to wage hikes and should not be used to replace actual wage hikes. “Malacanang must stop its two-faced actions directed to undermine the economic demands of workers. Workers deserve to enjoy the fruits of their hard labor. For the longest time, Filipino workers continue to suffer grave economic conditions. As we would commonly joke about our very meager wages, our take home pay cannot even take us home.”

“We need real and substantial wage increase to cope with the increasing cost of living. Current wage levels can barely help us survive the rising cost of products, services and public utilities. We actually want Malacanang to sign an executive order granting an across-the-board legislated wage increase for workers in the private sector and for the Congress to take up the wage bill the hasten their ” stated Maglunsod.

posted by: KMU at 04:14 | link | comments |