BAGUIO CITY (Apr. 28) — This year’s May Day rites will focus mainly on the long-awaited workers’ demand for a P125 legislated wage increase nationwide; job security; as well as their political and democratic rights, a spokesperson of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) told Nordis.

“Saan pay a nalpas ti laban dagiti mangmangged para iti pannakailinteg ti P125 a nayon a suweldo gaputa aginggana itatta ket saan latta nga umanay dagiti agdama a suweldoda a panggatang kadagiti kangrunaan a gagatangen ken serbisyo. Numanpay adda dagiti ibagbagada a panangipangato kano ti suweldo iti napalabas, saan a makabiag dagitoy gapu ti kinababada” (The struggle of the workers for a legislated P125 wage increase is far from over as their present wages are not enough to cope with the prices of commodities and social services. While there had been wage increases in the past, these are still not enough as these are too low), said James Tulipa, KMU spokesperson.

Tulipa added that the commemoration will also include the strengthening of commitment to continue the struggle of the oppressed peoples against imperialist attacks on the Philippines’ socio-political and economic sovereignty.

Tulipa said that since this commemoration of labor day in the period of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s presidency, KMU is committed to renew the call for GMA’s ouster. He said Arroyo is not of any help to the people especially to the workers because of her anti-people governance. “Ditoy met laeng ket mainayon ti panagkondena kadagiti pulitikal a pammapatay ken panangidadanes ken ti terorismo ti estado” (At the same time, we will again include our condemnation to the political killings and persecution and state terrorism), Tulipa said.

The KMU national office in its Labor Day memorandum of the said commemoration said it would carry the theme “Itakwil ang peke, korap at pasistang Gloria!” (Oust the fake, corrupt and fascist Gloria). KMU said Arroyo is hell bent on following the dictates of the US instead of looking to the plight of her own people. The labor group said the country is suffering the worst crisis ever because of the heightened imperialist attack on the economy making the lives of the Filipino even harder.

KMU added that the already poor condition of Filipinos grew poorer and turned worse since GMA took power. KMU said GMA should be held accountable for all the misery she inflicted on the people.

Coinciding with the labor day, the KMU as one of the sectors represented by Anakpawis Party list is spearheading a meeting de avance. The group said that the purpose of the activity is to consolidate its forces and friends in projecting anew the Anakpawis party-list’s platforms and its bid to ensure its victory in the 2007 elections.

According to Tulipa, Anakpawis will again echo the demand for the release of Anakpawis representative Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran who remains in prison for more than a year for alleged rebellion charges. # Aldwin Quitasol for NORDIS