THE labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) yesterday expressed strong opposition to the bid of the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) to hike the fare of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1.
In a statement, the KMU said the proposed fare hike would be another burden to the already struggling workforce.
“We vehemently oppose the proposal to increase the fare for LRT Line 1,” said KMU.
“This will be another burden to workers, especially those earning daily minimum wages that mostly rely on public transportation,” it added.
The labor group said increasing LRT fares is unacceptable considering that the call for increasing the floor wage has not been approved.
It cited the long-standing call of KMU for a P1,200 daily minimum wage that remains unheeded.
“There has been no movement in the long proposed P1,200 daily minimum wage for workers,” said the group. “They should give priority to increasing the wages of workers instead.”
Under the LRMC proposal, the minimum fare for LRT Line 1 could rise from P21 to P25 from the current P15.
The LRMC said there is a need for LRT Line 1 to collect more from passengers so it could sustain its operations.
