Unity rally by Cebu labor groups today

A wage hike and job security are on top of the demands of organized labor in Cebu as the world observes the 110th International Labor Day.

Various labor groups will join today’s rally under the new broad alliance called “Nagkaisa” uniting some 40 major trade unions and labor federations across the country. The Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) is calling for a P90 increase in the daily minimum wage of Central Visayas which is P327 in Metro Cebu.

Workers will convene in the compound of the Associated Labor Union (ALU) at 7:30 a.m. then march to Fuente Osmeña at 9 a.m.

Another issue at the frontline is the call to scrap labor contracting and the regional wage boards.

Among the labor groups joining the rally are ALU– Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, PM, Alliance of Progressive Labor, the Bukloran ng Manggagawang Pilipino and Makabayan.

“We are calling all the candidates to have a meaningful platform for the labor sectors,” said Dennis Derige, PM spokesman.

“We want to know their stand on contractualization, wage increase, job generation and employment.”

“There can never be economic growth if there are no regular jobs with dignity and a living wage,” said Virgie Lacsa-Suarez, legal counsel of the Digitel Employees Union. A rally permit was issued by City Hall for today’s activity. /Correspondent Tweeny M. Malinao