Statement – Gloria's RVAT is added misery for workers

The social system perpetrated by the profit-greedy capitalists under the protective blanket of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's regime has denied the workers of social justice, human rights and dignity. These capitalists have stripped the workers of their humanity as if they are slaves.

The workers bear a great burden such as very low wages that can no longer provide for their family's sustenance. A simple math would tell that a family of four children would need to feed six persons and if their food is given a budget of P10 a meal, their expenses for food alone would total P180 daily. Given that the minimum wage is currently at P223, the worker's family is left with P43 only to pay for their water, electricity, kerosene, fare, etc. How can we, workers, survive with that kind of arrangement?

According to Ibon Facts and Figures, "the true value of the peso now amounts to just 63 centavos". This would mean that the current P223 minimum wage would just have a value of P167.25. In this setup, the workers are burdened much more.

This February 1, another increase in the VAT is to be implemented, from the expanded coverage of 10 percent to 12 percent. We will again experience a wave of increases in the prices of the basic commodities daily. This is yet again an aggravation of the already grave plight of the people especially to us, workers.

For these reasons, AMA-SUGBO-KMU strongly calls for the scrapping of RA 9337 or the RVAT Law; it has not brought the people any good instead it has wreaked further misery. We also strongly call on the workers to unite and lead the people's struggle to remove the fake and fascist president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo - the number one implementor of policies that bring misery to the Filipino people.

(SGD.) Wennie S. Badayos
Chairperson
Alyansa sa mga Mamumuo sa Sugbo-Kilusang Mayo Uno
(AMA-SUGBO-KMU)