Labor groups voiced their grievances along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City amid preparations for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s third State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 22.
According to a report by Jecelle Ricafort during Damdaming Bayan, approximately 2,000 workers from labor groups National Wage Coalition, Kilusang Mayo Uno, and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines participated in the rally.
The labor groups condemned the P35 wage increase for employees working in the National Capital Region and are calling for an increase of up to P150.
Labor leader Elmer "Ka Bong" Calagui Labog criticized the P35 wage increase as an insult to the Filipino labor force, especially with ongoing inflation. Calagui stated that the approved wage increase reflects the government's flawed system.
"Ang P35 na ibinigay ng kasalukuyang administrasyong Marcos Jr. sa manggagawa, ang tanong ko sa inyo, ito lang ba ang halaga ng ating lakas paggawa? Hindi ito ang halaga ng ating lakas paggawa!" said Calagui.
Furthermore, the labor groups also called for the disbandment of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, describing it as useless and anti-worker.
They highlighted that numerous proposals for a wage increase in Congress have not received attention and remain pending.
