MANILA, Philippines — Labor groups led by Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) staged an indignation rally on Independence Day to protest the Marcos administration’s alleged role in the “killing” of the proposed ₱200 legislated wage hike.

In a press statement released Thursday, KMU denounced President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Senate for halting what would have been the first nationwide legislated wage increase in over three decades.

“BBM’s instruction and the Senate’s dilly-dallying denied Filipino workers what could have been the first legislated nationwide wage hike in 36 years,” the statement read, referring to the president by his initials.

KMU criticized the administration for siding with what it called “imperialist masters” instead of providing economic relief to workers amid rising inflation. The group argued that while the wage hike fell short of a family living wage, it would have offered some relief to struggling households.

“This is unacceptable. This is unforgivable. There will be a reckoning,” the group said, calling on workers to join further mass actions, including a protest scheduled in front of the U.S. Embassy on June 13 to condemn foreign economic influence.

KMU Secretary General Jerome Adonis reaffirmed the group’s resolve to continue pushing for wage reforms, saying, “The fight for living wages continues outside the halls of parliament. Let us take our anger to the streets.”