Boards to act 60 days prior to wage anniversary
President Marcos ordered the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards on Wednesday to initiate a timely review of the minimum wage of workers, factoring in the continuing impact of inflation, among others.
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President Marcos said the government will help laborers in the agriculture sector affected by the El Niño phenomenon. “In the coming days, we will send financial assistance to those who are severely affected by El Niño nationwide—those whose crops were destroyed and lost their livelihoods because of the drought.”
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The Chief Executive gave the directive in his Labor Day speech, adding that actions must be taken “within 60 days prior to the anniversary of their latest wage order.”
The daily minimum wage in the country currently ranges from P573 to P610.
“I call on the National Wages and Productivity Commission to review its rules to ensure that the Boards are able to maintain a regular and predictable schedule of wage review, issuance, and effectivity to reduce uncertainty and enhance fairness for all stakeholders,” Mr. Marcos said.
Vice President Sara Duterte, for her part, said workers are the true heroes of the modern times.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri likewise paid tribute to members of the labor force.
He said the Senate has already passed the P100 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act as he called on the House to do tbe same.
Speaker Martin Romualdez reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of our workers.
“We must continue to work towards legislation that guarantees fair labor practices, promotes safety and health standards, and ensures that all feel the benefits of our growing economy,” Romualdez said.
The President likewise urged members of the 19th Congress to enact legislations that would help the government achieve its jobs generation agenda, including the Enterprise-based Education and Training Program Law, the Revised Apprenticeship Program Act, and CREATE MORE.
“Our country is built upon the sweat and toil of Filipinos working day in and day out to provide for the needs of their families and take a chance to uplift their lives. From the bustling cities to the remote fields in the countryside, it’s the labor of the Filipino that propels us forward, fueling our economy and sustaining the very fabric of our society,” the President added.
The Partido Manggagawa (PM), however, described yesterday as the “coldest Labor Day” due to the government’s cool reception to labor’s demand for a wage hike.
PM, together with the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, the Kilusang Mayo Uno and other labor groups held a rally in Manila advocating for the enactment of the proposed across-the-board wage hike of not less than P150.
Pending before the Lower House are the proposed P150 wage hike bill authored by TUCP Partylist Rep. Raymond Mendoza, and the P750 bill filed by Makabayan block.
The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), on the other hand, lamented the plight of jeepney drivers affected by the jeepney phase-out, citing some 600,000 drivers who are bound to lose their livelihood with the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).
“Disappointment is an understatement. It’s obvious that many sectors see the phase-out part of the program as not beneficial to jeepney drivers and to the commuting public. And how about these areas that cannot be serviced by buses? How can people travel to work, to school?,” said ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr.
He said the government should assist local assemblers and jeepney manufacturers to produce sustainable jeepneys and other types of vehicles similar to the jeepney, instead of bringing over imported private utility vehicles.
“The government can still push for the E-jeepney and review the modernization plan. If they remove they remove the franchise system, what will take its place, especially in the provinces. Some routes cannot be filled-up with buses, not even mini-buses,” Ortiz-Luis added.
