The measure seeking a P100 across-the-board minimum wage increase for private sector workers hurdled the Senate on its second reading on Wednesday, February 14.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who sponsored the bill, told the plenary that Senate Bill No. 2534 of the proposed Wage Increase Act of 2013 will ensure a “living wage” for the Filipino workforce.
He added that it pushes for the improvement of the living conditions of the families in the Philippines.
The senators unanimously approved SB No. 2534 under Committee Report No. 190 during a plenary session, as it is the Senate’s ‘Valentine’s Day gift’ to all the workers, per Zubiri.
Per the Senate President, it could be the first time that a legislated hike would be imposed throughout the country since the enactment of Republic Act No. 6727, or the Wage Rationalization Act, in 1989.
It declared effectively that compensations would be set on a regional basis by wage boards, once the proposed bill is enacted into law.
In the proposed bill, all employees working in the private sector, both agricultural and nonagricultural, will be entitled to a P100 minimum salary increase.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada originally proposed the wage hike, making it an additional P150, but his committee suggested a P100 daily wage increase as there was an increase of P30 to P90 last year as ordered by the regional wage board.
