Metro Manila workers seek P710 pay hike

MANILA, Philippines — Workers in Metro Manila are seeking a P710 wage increase in their daily take home pay, a labor group said yesterday.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said they would file today a petition for a salary increase before the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board.

The TUCP dismissed the government’s claim that a majority of Filipinos are out of poverty.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority and National Economic Development Authority, a family of five can be considered out of poverty if they can survive with P349 food per day or P10,481 a month.

The TUCP said workers in urban areas should receive a minimum wage of P1,247 daily to live.

“The current P537 salary for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila is not enough amid the rising costs of food and services,” the group said.

Workers also asked the government to junk the TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) Law.