FRUSTRATED that the proposed P150 wage hike was not mentioned in the State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., labor groups are seeking a dialogue with the Chief Executive.
Marcos did not mention the workers’ appeal for a P150 across-the-board legislated wage hike, and labor groups claimed that the Chief Executive never really held a dialogue with the sector since he assumed the presidency in 2022.
The National Wage Coalition, composed of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Kilusang Mayo Uno, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, and Federation of Free Workers (FFW), among other workers’ organizations, wants to sit down with the President.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. PHOTOS BY NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / PPA POOL
TUCP reiterated the need for dialogue between labor groups and the President to tackle the true state of Filipino workers and their families.
It pointed out that the Marcos administration could do well by certifying as urgent the long-pending labor reforms to raise wages, upholding workers’ freedom of association and generating new, permanent and decent jobs.
On the other hand, the FFW said that the labor sector expects the President to certify the proposed P150 legislated wage increase as urgent.
“What’s the significance of his announcement that the country’s employment rate has increased while our workers are receiving poverty wages,” FFW President Sonny Matula said.
“The Marcos Economic Team has opposed the proposed wage hike. We need to explore other strategies, especially since the House is taking cues from the Marcos Economic Team. We will persistently pursue wage advocacy,” Matula added.
He also called on Speaker Martin Romualdez to “dunk and not junk” the P150 wage recovery bill.
The proposed P150 legislated wage increase has long been pending before the House Committee on Labor and Employment.
Other major concerns that the labor group aired include the return of the P90-billion PhilHealth fund.
“This may require labor unions to file a case with the Supreme Court, as the situation is unconstitutional, illegal and immoral. Reducing PhilHealth contributions and increasing the benefits of universal health care could result in significant savings and ensure that no Filipino has to pay out of pocket for medical expenses,” Matula added.
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