PHILIPPINES
But the High Court says it cannot compel the government to implement the adjustment to the new salary grade because this needs another law for the budget
Lian Buan, Rappler, 9 Oct 2019
MANILA, Philippines – After 4 years, government nurses finally won their case when the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that their salary grades should be at 15 and not 10-11.
The SC decided during its en banc session on Tuesday, October 8, to uphold Section 32 of Republic Act 9173 or the 2002 Philippine Nursing Act which expressly said that “the minimum base pay of nurses working in public health institutions shall not be lower than salary grade 15.”
“The Court declared as valid Section 32 of the Philippine Nursing Act,” said the SC Public Information Office (PIO).
Ang Nars Party List went to the Supreme Court in 2015 because government nurses were relegated to salary grades 10-11 when former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Executive Order (EO) 811 in 2009. That EO was based on Joint Resolution No. 4 which allowed Arroyo to modify salaries in government. (READ: Why our nurses are leaving)
“In ruling in favor of the petitioners, the Court ruled that Joint Resolution No. 4, being a mere resolution, cannot amend or repeal a prior law such as RA 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act. The same applies to EO 811 which is also not a law, but an executive directive,” said the PIO.
But here’s the catch for public nurses – the government cannot be forced to implement it without a separate law providing for budget.
“The Court did not grant the prayer of the petitioners to compel the implementation of Sec. 32 of RA 9173 since its implementation would necessarily require a law passed by Congress providing the necessary funds for it,” said the PIO.
In the current tranche of salary grades, salary grade 15 earns as much as P31,545 a month. It could go higher to P33,279 a month. Salary Grades 10-11 provide for a monthly compensation of P22,055.
Low pay, coupled with long shifts, drive Filipino nurses to leave home and seek jobs abroad. – Rappler.com
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
