📷Makabayan coalition senatorial bet and KMU Secretary General Jerome Adonis
“World champion sa mental gymnastics ang mga government officials natin. Tinalo si Carlos Yulo,” this is how KMU secretary general Jerome Adonis reacted to DOLE’s standard of determining employment as those who work at least one hour per day.
DOLE Undersecretary Carmela Torres declared such pronouncement when asked by Senator Loren Legarda in a Senate hearing.
“Incredible nga naman itong DOLE at gobyernong Marcos Jr. Lahat ng standard binabago. Binago ang depinisyon ng mahirap. Binago kung ano ang gutom. Ngayon naman, binago ang depinisyon ng may trabaho.”
Such a declaration is the latest in a series of government assertions which labor groups call “callous” and a “manipulation.” It can be recalled that previously the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) said that having 64php a day qualifies a person as not food poor while the poverty threshold is pegged at 91php a day.
“Palibhasa itong mga opisyal ng DOLE at si Marcos Jr. mismo, one hour a day lang may trabaho. Huwag nilang paris sa kanila ang mamamayan. Nagpapagal ang mga manggagawa, kaya deserve namin ng maayos na sahod at regular na trabaho, hindi lokoha,.” Adonis said.
KMU asserted that workers are well aware of the truth in terms of their situation, and will not be fooled by such machinations.
“Kahit anong tumbling ni Marcos na pagmukhaing may nagagawa ang administrasyon niya, di niya maide-deny na salat ang sahod, kulang ang trabaho at laganap ang kahirapan,” Adonis added.
KMU called on workers to speak up on these matters, and reveal their true situation. The group called to continue the fight for living wages, regular jobs and the right to organize and unionize. (PR)
