TUCP wants more than pay hike for workers

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s largest labor group yesterday called on President Aquino “to do more” than just urge employers to grant pay hike to their workers.

According to Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) spokesman Alan Tanjusay, workers need more than just increase in take home pay.

“It’s good to hear that the appeal for wage hike came from the President himself, but I think he can do more by using his prerogatives in helping minimum wage earners cope with poverty,” Tanjusay said in reaction to Aquino’s appeal to Chinese-Filipino businessmen to increase the salaries of their employees.

The President said businessmen should empower their employees by giving them more disposable income, which will boost demand for products.

But Tanjusay said the Aquino government should come up with a genuine program for poor workers.

He said the President has only 400 days remaining in his term but he has yet to improve the lives of workers.

“He has no legacy for the Filipino workers who have helped in improving the country’s economy,” Tanjusay said.

The wage board in the National Capital Region had earlier approved a P15 increase in the daily take home pay of minimum wage earners in Metro Manila.

Labor groups described the pay hike as an insult to workers who could barely afford to buy their basic needs due to their measly income.

The Department of Labor and Employment defended the pay hike and insisted that workers can receive additional salary increase under the existing two-tiered wage system. – With Danny Dangcalan