Zubiri stands with labor sector on wage hike

MANILA, Philippines — Leaders of the Senate and Congress yesterday pressed for a legislated wage hike that would reflect the present cost of living.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri committed to push for legislation that will protect and advance the interests of workers across the country.

“This Labor Day, I join all our workers in fighting for decent benefits, living wages and fair working conditions,” Zubiri said.

“This is especially crucial as rising costs of goods and utilities continue to hit our people’s pockets, to the point that even toiling with a full-time job is no longer enough to support their families’ needs.”

The National Capital Region currently has the highest daily nominal wage rate, at P570 (non-agriculture), while the lowest is at P316 (non-agriculture) for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

At the onset of 2023, the Philippines saw its highest inflation rate in 14 years, hitting 8.7 percent, he said.

Zubiri’s Senate Bill 2002, or the Across-the-Board Wage Increase Act of 2023, seeks to raise wages in the private sector across all regions by P150.

“We must uplift our workers and ensure that they get the compensation they deserve. Workers form the foundation of the entire business sector and without them, our economy and country will fall apart. So let us give them their due. By providing a true living wage, we empower our workers to support not only their families and their communities, but also the country at large,” he said.

In Congress, Speaker Martin Romualdez gave assurance yesterday that some recently enacted laws, which are aimed to enhance economic growth and improve the investment climate in the country, are geared toward job and income preservation.

Romualdez said these legislation include liberalization amendments introduced in the Public Service Act, Retail Trade Law and Foreign Investments Act, which are intended to attract more foreign investments.

In celebration of Labor Day yesterday, the Speaker acknowledged the sacrifices that workers make “for their families and the country.”

Romualdez added that this is the reason why the House always makes it a point to attend to the worker’s concerns. He added that the “investment-diplomatic missions of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his economic team, joined by a small group of House members, are all aimed at sustaining economic growth.”

For their part, officials and members of the supermajority coalition in the House of Representatives vowed to protect the welfare of Filipino workers.

“Our people can rest assured that we will continue fighting for workers’ welfare through meaningful legislation and by working with the government, industries and workers themselves,” Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles said.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said it is about time that Congress enacts an increase in minimum wages, as he advised the government to go beyond holding job fairs and distributing ayuda (assistance) during Labor Day. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Sheila Crisostomo, Delon Porcalla