Various trade unions and federations in the province formed recently the Wage Increase Solidarity-Negros to push for the implementation of the P125 across-the-board wage increase that got stalled in Congress.

National Federation of Sugarworkers secretary-general John Milton Lozande said the demand for wage increase remains a major issue which the labor sector will raise during the celebration of the International Labor Day on May 1.

He said exploitation and oppression of workers continue especially in sugarfarms where unjust labor practices still exist.

Lozande said the National Labor Relation Commission and the Department of Labor and Employment also failed the workers with the number of unresolved Collective Bargaining Agreements in deadlock reaching 703. "The turtle-paced processes of case resolutions in NLRC made this commissions inutile," Lozande said.

He added that the integrity of the commission has long been eroded with several labor arbiters facing bribery cases.

Meanwhile, labor groups are gearing for a big rally on May 1 at the Bacolod Public plaza.

Kilusang Mayo Uno Negros coordinator Jaime Valdez said the group from southern Negros will converge in Lupit Church area while those from the north will assemble at the Capitol lagoon at 12:00 noon.

From the assembly points, those participating in the rally will march towards the Bacolod plaza for the program.*NAB

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