A group of workers challenged the House to file a counterpart bill to the Senate’s proposed P100 minimum wage hike, which has already passed the second hearing.
Senate Bill 2534, which aims to raise the daily minimum wage for workers and employees in the private sector, passed its second reading only on Wednesday.
“Bagamat nahuhuli na at maliit kumpara sa family living wage, deserve ng mga manggagawa na itaas ang kanilang sahod lalo pa’t taun-taon ay lumalaki ang inaambag ng mga manggagawa sa yaman ng bayan,” said Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).
“Hinahamon namin ang mga mambabatas sa House of Representatives na isantabi na ang pakikipagbangayan. Dapat mas pagtuunan ng pansin ang pagpapasa ng kaparehong batas sa Kamara, at hindi ang pagtatalo-talo dahil sa [Charter Change].”
The KMU and labor groups have previously been fighting for a P750 increase in the daily wage to bring the minimum wage closer to the family living wage (FLW), or the wage needed for a family of five to live decently.
FLW is currently as low as P1,193/day for those living in Metro Manila, far from the current P610 minimum wage in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Group urges Senate to pass P100 wage hike bill
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and a group of employers initially rejected the wage hike proposal because they said it would make it difficult for small businessmen, in addition to the acceleration of the increase in the price of goods (inflation).
However, the workers answered that big companies currently employ more people than micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Progressive groups are currently stalling discussions on amending the 1987 Constitution, which would allow greater foreign ownership and investment in local services, businesses, and industries.
KMU said it is more important to prioritize measures that will ease the lives of the common Filipino than Cha-Cha and foreign interests.
The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) group, on the other hand, agreed to the passing of P100 in addition to the minimum wage, especially because the workers need it.
Despite this, the group admitted that it is still insufficient for the average person to meet basic needs.
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