Senators expressed their dissatisfaction with the recent wage increase in Metro Manila approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.
Senate President Chiz Escudero reiterated that the increase is grossly inadequate to sustain the worker’s daily needs amid the continuous increase in commodity prices in the country. Additionally, he mentioned that it’s questionable why wage increases approved by RTWPB are always insufficient.
The senator also mentioned that the P100 wage increase was already passed in the Senate. Although they admit that the said proposal is not yet enough, it will still be a huge help to minimum wage earners. This was seconded by former Senate President Zubiri stating that the P100 wage increase should not only be implemented in NCR but also in every region in the country.
Meanwhile, Senator Villanueva, as the new chairperson for the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment, pushes for the passing of the Senate Bill 2140 for sufficient wages aligned with the needs of Filipino families.
Additionally, labor advocate Senator Jinggoy Estrada stated that P35 wage increase may be small in number, this will still help over one million workers in NCR.
On Monday, the RTWPB approved a P35 wage increase for workers in the National Capital Region. The increase is set to take effect on July 17. Initially, labor groups viewed the increase as an insult to minimum wage earners in the labor sector.
