Calabarzon workers seeking pay hike

MANILA, Philippines — Workers in Southern Tagalog are seeking a wage increase to cope with the rising prices of basic commodities.

Labor groups belonging to the Initiative for Wage Increase (IWIN) will file today a petition, asking for a common minimum daily wage of P750 for workers in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon).

“The petition aims to increase the daily minimum wage set under four classifications, which are at P470, P429, P390 and P350,” the groups said in a statement.

“To have a common minimum wage for Calabarzon workers, an increase of P280, P321, P360 and P400 is petitioned for the current wage classifications,” the groups said.

They said workers in Calabarzon and in other regions must be provided with a substantial minimum wage.

“An increase in the minimum wage is urgent, necessary and just,” the groups said, adding the hike would help minimum wage earners in Calabarzon cope with the spiraling cost of essential commodities and services.

The IWIN said the increasing prices of basic commodities could be classified as a “supervening event,” which is the basis for the immediate issuance of a wage order.

Last week, the IWIN filed another petition seeking a daily minimum wage of P1,140 for workers in the National Capital Region.