Party-list rep vows to push for P75 wage hike

MANILA, Philippines – The party-list group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) will push for a P75-a-day legislated wake increase in the incoming 15th Congress.

TUCP Rep. Raymond Mendoza said yesterday that the P22 adjustment given by the regional wage board for Metro Manila “is a measly sum and is an insult to workers who sustained the country’s economic growth in the last nine years.”

“The amount is too low and cannot even cover for the increases in the prices of essential goods and services,” he said.

The current minimum daily wage in Metro Manila is P382. The P22 adjustment will bring it to P404.

Many employers claimed they could not afford the P22 hike since they have not fully recovered from the economic slowdown and consequently might be forced to lay off workers.

Mendoza won another term as TUCP representative. His wife Emmylou won as governor of North Cotabato, beating incumbent Vice Gov. Manny Piñol by 38,000 votes.

Mendoza said he would file the P75 across-the-board wage increase bill in the 15th Congress “so that all workers nationwide will benefit.”

“Our workers have a right to living wages. The prevailing wage rates do not support that basic right. I believe we have to use the power of Congress now to remedy this unjust situation,” he said.

Mendoza also announced that he will file a resolution to inquire into the “fairness and efficacy” of the regional tripartite wage and productivity boards.

He said workers feel that the wage boards are no longer relevant to their needs and have become “apologists for government inaction and management insensitivity.”

“Our workers are the ones who created the stupendous wealth worth more than P3 trillion since 2001, which was declared as corporate profits and shareholders’ dividends. Don’t workers have a right to have a reasonable share from the fruits of their labor?” he said.

Mendoza expressed confidence that the 15th Congress would consider his proposal.

“Thirty-six million Filipino workers are on our side. We will harness their collective power to rectify the prevailing inequities in our society. TUCP was elected by workers and their families because they believed we will fight for them. And I promise that I will not fail them,” he said.

TUCP is considered a moderate labor group. In previous Congresses, representatives of militant labor organizations like Anakpawis had unsuccessfully pushed for a P125 daily wage hike. –Jess Diaz (The Philippine Star)