TUCP hits Malacañang for delays in wage hike for NCR

Saying it is almost a month since Labor Day, a moderate labor group questioned Malacañang Monday over the delay in granting a wage hike for laborers in Metro Manila.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said the laborers in Metro Manila need the pay raise – which may amount to P20 to 25 a day — as school is about to start.

“Lahat na opening ng classes ngayon ang tuition nag-increase ang bilihin nag-increase, delayed itong wage order (Classes are about to open and tuition has increased, yet the wage order is delayed). During the campaign period, Malacañang promised that in two weeks’ time at the time it was Labor Day,” TUCP secretary general Ernesto Herrera said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

Citing reports reaching him, he said it is already “definite” that there will be a wage increase for Metro Manila workers, with the amount being floated between P20 to P25.

He said that while employers are still objecting to it, government representatives in the wage board have “agreed” to the wage hike.

The TUCP had sought a P75 across-the-board hike in daily wage hike for Metro Manila workers.

“What is the delay, it’s now the last day of May?” he said. — LBG, GMANews.TV