G-20 will worsen poverty and hunger

The Kilusang Mayo Uno unites with the workers and peoples of the world in condemning the G-20 Summit that is being held in Cannes, France.


This summit will only spread and worsen the poverty and hunger that are being aggravated by the current grave global economic crisis. On the one hand, it will result in a renewed push for huge bailouts for big corporations and financial institutions which do not generate production in the real economy. On the other hand, it will result in a renewed push for tight austerity measures for the workers and peoples of the world.


In the Philippines, the government of Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, which is most subservient to the dictates of the US, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, has been boosting the profits of big capitalists and banks in various ways.

It has refused to grant the significant wage hike which workers have been calling for, despite the worsening hunger and poverty situation in the country. It has sided with big capitalists in implementing flexible work schemes. It has allowed wanton landgrabbing in the countryside by big landlords, comprador capitalists and monopoly capitalists.


It has allowed the prices of basic goods and services to increase unabated by pursuing the neoliberal policies implemented by previous regimes. It is poised to raise the level of neoliberal fanaticism by pushing for its Public-Private Partnership programs and the removal of Constitutional restrictions to foreign ownership and trade in the country.


The Aquino government has been implementing a no-nonsense austerity program. It has cut subsidies for education and health services and has refused to grant subsidies to housing as a form of social service to the poor. Despite claims to the contrary, it has consistently allocated the biggest chunk of the national budget to foreign debt payments.


Obsessed with complying with the imperialist dictate to balance the country’s deficit, the Aquino government remains firm in collecting the Value-Added Tax even on essential products such as oil and on essential services such as expressways. Impervious to the hunger and poverty in the country, it is seeking to increase the tax burden of the poor.


We vow to intensify our struggle against the poverty and oppression being caused by the Aquino government in accordance with US imperialist dictates. We vow to further expand and strengthen our ranks so we can advance an alternative beyond a system that brings the workers and peoples of the world nothing but greater hunger and poverty. Roger Soluta, KMU Secretary General