P35 wage hike still appealable – DOLE

MANILA, Philippines — Amid complaints from labor groups, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said yesterday the wage order granting an increase of P35 in the daily minimum pay of workers in Metro Manila is still appealable.

Laguesma said a motion for reconsideration may be filed before the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).

“Under existing guidelines, anybody can still appeal Wage Order No. NCR-25 before the NWPC within 10 days from publication (of the order) or until July 11,” he said.

Laguesma noted that even the employers’ sector may file an appeal.

The order increased the daily minimum wage for workers in the non-agriculture sector to P645 from P610.

As for the agriculture sector, service or retail establishments employing 15 workers or less and manufacturing establishments with less than 10 employees, the new daily minimum wage is P608, up from P573.

Chiz: Wage hike insufficient

Senate President Francis Escudero slammed the P35 wage increase, calling it “grossly inadequate” and falls short of addressing the real needs of workers, especially amid soaring prices of essential goods.

Escudero questioned the basis of the RTWPB’s decision, adding that the board’s calculations do not reflect the true cost of living in Metro Manila.

Escudero pointed out that the Senate had passed a bill proposing an across-the-board increase of P100, which, according to him, should be the minimum increment.

The House committee on labor and employment, chaired by Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles, will continue the deliberations on various bills proposing wage adjustments.

According to Nograles, the chamber will not stop looking for ways to improve the lives of Filipino workers.

He said the House panel would continue hearing petitions to increase the workers’ salary by P150 to P350 without causing bankruptcy to employers.

The militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno pressed anew for the abolition of RTWPBs.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) vowed to support businesses amid challenges they may face following the approved daily minimum wage increase in Metro Manila.

In a statement, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said that while the DTI welcomes the P35 wage hike to help enhance the welfare of workers, the agency also recognizes that it may bring challenges to businesses. – Sheila Crisostomo, Delon Porcalla, Louella Desiderio