PNoy to meet with labor leaders on May 1

President Benigno Aquino III will have a breakfast dialogue on Sunday with some labor groups, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said Saturday. In an interview with government-run dzRB radio, Baldoz said the President's meeting with several labor groups' representatives will follow a 7 a.m. program at the Palace. "May maagang breakfast dialogue si Presidente at ang mga labor leader sa Malacañang (The President will hold an early breakfast dialogue with labor leaders at the Palace)," she said. Some 90 labor leaders representing at least 17 major labor groups are expected at the meeting, according to Baldoz. These include the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Federation of Free Workers, Alliance of Filipino Workers, Alliance of Progressive Labor, and groups representing hotel and restaurant workers, the informal sector, seamen, and automotive workers. Also, Baldoz said they invited militant labor groups but they preferred not to join. "'Yan naman nirerespeto namin (We respect their decision)," she pointed out. Baldoz said Aquino may announce "good news" at the dialogue and hinted it will involve widening the welfare for the labor sector. On the other hand, she remained noncommittal on wage increases sought by labor groups, including a P125 daily wage hike and a P6,000 wage hike for government workers. "Ang alam ko naka-pending din yan sa Kongreso [at] nagkaroon na tayo ng reporma sa salary standardization (From what I know, those are pending in Congress, and as for government workers, we already have reforms in salary standardization)," she said. — JE, GMA News