By CESAR JOLITO III

A labor group slammed the government’s recent decision to suspend a planned transport fare hike, calling it a possible diversion from the long-standing demand for higher wages.

In a press statement issued on March 19, Wennie Sancho, secretary general of the General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA), criticized what he described as the government’s “selective benevolence,” saying the move may be intended to shift public attention away from the urgent need to address workers’ wages.

Sancho acknowledged that suspending the fare increase provides temporary relief to commuters, especially amid rising prices of basic goods and services.

However, he warned that such a measure could be used as justification to delay or deny calls for a wage hike.

“We cannot ignore the possibility that this will be used as a pretext to sideline the demand for wage increases,” Sancho said, adding that the government’s continued silence on the issue raises doubts about its commitment to improving workers’ welfare.

The group stressed that increasing wages is not a privilege but a fundamental right, particularly as the cost of living continues to rise.

GAWA urged the government to take concrete action instead of what it described as short-term solutions.

Sancho also called on workers and the public to remain vigilant and continue advocating for fair and livable wages, emphasizing that the suspension of the fare hike has “raised more questions than answers.”

The labor group further noted that there has been no clear indication from authorities regarding any forthcoming wage adjustments, reinforcing concerns that economic relief measures may not extend to workers in the private sector.

As debates over economic policies continue, GAWA maintained that meaningful and lasting solutions are needed to address the challenges faced by Filipino workers./CJ, WDJ