Government workers’ group seeks P6,000 pay hike

MANILA, Philippines – An umbrella organization of government employees yesterday asked the Aquino government for a P6,000 increase in their minimum pay amid looming increases in toll fees, transportation fares and oil prices.

In a news conference, the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) said it is about time that the government, which has failed to curb the increases, should increase the salary of workers in both private and public sectors to enable them to cope with the rising cost of living.

“Right now, the minimum pay in government is only P6,861 per month, sans the mandatory deductions such as taxes, GSIS, Pag-IBIG and PhilHealth premiums and contributions, far from the government’s estimated cost of living of P28,710 per month. Even if employees receive the full implementation of SSL 3 (Salary Standardization Law, with the last tranche due in 2012), the minimum pay will still be P9,000,” Ferdinand Gaite, COURAGE national president, said.

Gaite said the increase brought about by the implementation of SSL 3 was insignificant for minimum wage workers considering that the measly amount was spread out in tranches.

“We have yet to receive the full amount yet the value is already lost to inflation. A P6,000 increase in the minimum pay would address the long overdue neglect in the salaries of the lowest paid employee or those who need the increase more,” he said.

The group said they are also supporting the call for a P125 increase in the wages of their counterparts in the private sector considering the increases given to them in 2010 were a pittance.

Increases in wages of workers in the private sector are determined by the tripartite regional wage boards, which only grant a once a year increase under Republic Act 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act.

The government is set to implement on a staggered basis a 300-percent increase in toll fees at the South Luzon Expressway.

Mass transport fares are also expected to increase after Malacañang approved fare increases in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT 3) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT 1 and 2), and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) also approved on Dec. 23 the increase in the flagdown rates of taxis from P30 to P40, and the succeeding rate to P3.50 from P2.50.

Petitions for jeepney fare hikes are also pending at the office.

Gaite said they will stage a month-long protest action, which would start this week at the MRT and LRT stations, as well as in various protest centers in Manila, Quezon City and across the country. –Rhodina Villanueva (The Philippine Star)