|
LPG price rollback a concrete result of the successful transport strikes
by KMU
Tuesday, Mar. 02, 2004 at 4:13 PM
Militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo government cannot deny the overwhelming success of yesterday's nationwide transport strike led by PISTON as major oil companies were forced to rollback prices of LPG by P1.50 per kilogram or P17 per tank.
Militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo government cannot deny the overwhelming success of yesterday's nationwide transport strike led by PISTON as major oil companies were forced to rollback prices of LPG by P1.50 per kilogram or P17 per tank. Upcoming collective actions will ensure more economic gains for the people.
"The massive success of the transport strike is a measure of the public's determination to pursue the fight against high oil prices and to push for the scrapping of the oil deregulation law," KMU Chairman Elmer Labog said.
Labog said the LPG price rollback is a concrete gain for consumers. "Even so, workers are demanding for an urgent rollback of fuel prices. Diesel and gasoline are still over priced. We will pursue our massive campaign for oil price rollbacks and price controls. The government must undertake decisive actions to regulate the prices of petroleum products and other basic commodities. "
Likewise, the labor leader reaffirmed their stance to press for higher wages and economic relief.
KMU condemns government violence against strikers
The labor leader also condemned the violent and harsh treatment against strikers in Kamias-Kalayaan, Novaliches, Balintawak and Caloocan yesterday. "The government is quick to lay bare its fascist tendencies and enforce political repression against justified people's protests."
Twelve activists from PISTON and KMU who joined the protests along Kalayaan Avenue were illegally arrested and detained for almost 15 hours by members of the Central Police District (CPD) and SWAT at CPD station 9 in Quezon City. Several cases such as illegal assembly, unjust vexation, resisting arrest and coercion will be filed against the strikers. PISTON Project 2-3-Quirino Drivers and Operators Association (PROQDOA) President Jovito Pulmon was violently manhandled by SWAT members. They even poked their armalite rifles at Pulmon and other strikers. KMU and PISTON is set to file counter charges against the police and SWAT for the brutal incident.
"If this is how the government responds to legitimate grievances and issues raised by the people, Mrs. Arroyo can expect for wider, broader peoples actions against her repressive and anti-people government.
|
