BACOLOD City — A labor group in Negros Occidental has criticized the government’s decision to suspend a planned transport fare hike, calling it “selective benevolence” that diverts attention from the growing demand for wage increases among workers.
Wennie Sancho, secretary general of the General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA), said the move reflects what he described as the government’s selective approach to public welfare.
Sancho argued that while the suspension may provide temporary relief to commuters, it fails to address the more pressing issue of rising living costs and stagnant wages.
“We see this as a clear indication that the government is not serious about addressing the plight of workers amid soaring prices of essential goods and services,” he said.
The group warned that the fare hike suspension could be used as justification to delay or deny long-standing calls for wage increases, particularly in the private sector.
“While we welcome any measure that eases the burden on commuters, we cannot ignore the possibility that this will be used as a pretext to sideline the demand for higher wages,” Sancho added.
GAWA also raised concern over what it described as the government’s “silence” on wage adjustments, saying it reflects misplaced priorities at a time when workers are grappling with inflation.
The group reiterated that wage increases should not be treated as concessions but as a fundamental right.
“A wage increase is not a favor—it is a right. We will not be swayed by token gestures,” Sancho said, as he called for concrete government action to address the rising cost of living.
GAWA urged workers and the public to remain vigilant and continue advocating for fair and living wages, stressing that the fare hike suspension raises questions about the government’s broader economic strategy.
“Is this a genuine effort to help commuters, or a way to delay labor demands?” the group asked./PN
