DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The recent post made by former Davao City Vice-Mayor Paolo “Pulong” Duterte has caught the attention of the labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno – Southern Mindanao Region (KMU-SMR), which reacted strongly to it.
The young Duterte’s post made a pun of the organization, writing the “Kilusang Mayo Uno” or May First Movement as “Kilusan sa Mangayo’g Umento” which literally means “a movement of individuals asking for wage increase”.
He also posted “Haaayyy Pa. Walay NPA na makontento ana … Gusto nila END OF THE WORLD!
(No NPA would be contented with that. They want an end of the world)” obviously referring to end of contract or ENDO.
It was posted 3:02 pm on the Facebook account Pulong Duterte-Official last May 1, Labor Day.
Reacting to the post, the KMU’s Southern Mindanao chapter said: “Check your privilege; Put your feet on the ground and let workers’ realities enlighten you.”
“Unless and until the young Duterte considers realities on the ground before opening his mouth, there is no way he would be able to know the dire situation of the very people he always maligns”.
The post, the group added,”is a form of a rant on social media aimed to criticize the group’s stand against Executive Order No. 51 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte last May 1.”
“Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) is an organization of workers and semi-workers, for decades stood and brought their interest and welfare at the forefront. These workers whom Paolo Duterte has belittled and maligned are the very people who made Duterte a President; without whom the progress that Davao boasts about would never be built. Yet despite the burden, hardship, and systematic exploitation that workers bear, leaders such as Paolo Duterte have the gall to insult them,” the statement emphasized.”
“Demand for higher wages is justified as ordinary workers could no longer cope with their daily minimum wage earnings of P340 against the increasing costs of living and the rising inflation worsened by government policies such as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or the TRAIN law,” it added.
Unlike Duterte who was raised in a privileged environment, “he cannot possibly, truly understand what life is like for a minimum wage earner,” the statement added.
The KMU said Duterte “must listen to the workers and semi-workers who entrusted their hopes on his father’s (Pres. Duterte) promise of inclusive development”.
“Instead of vilifying people who dare to hope for a better life, and have fought tooth and nail to make this a reality, Paolo Duterte should address their legitimate concerns and serve as a channel to bridge the gap between workers’ demands and public policy. These workers are not asking to be spoon-fed; rather, they are asking to be given just compensation for their work,” the group said.
“Alongside the difficult economic conditions of ordinary workers is the constant threat to their security of tenure due to the many forms of contractualization,” the statement added.
The KMU said the EO 51 issued by President Duterte “was the employers’ version, not the workers’ version.” (davaotoday.com)
