TUCP urges Congress to proceed with wage deliberations despite Malacañang clarification

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines today urged Congress to proceed with discussions on the wage issue despite the reported clarification of Malacañang of its position on the issue.

The TUCP said that Congress has the prerogative to pass any law with or without the backing of Malacañang.

“We challenge both houses of Congress to go ahead with the deliberations on a possible wage increase bearing in mind the need of workers to cope with increasing costs of goods and services and the capacity of the economy to absorb such increases”, TUCP said.

The TUCP also added that while Congress is in the process, it should also review the role and effectiveness of the regional wages and productivity boards (RTWPBs) taking into account the constant complaint of workers that the boards always grant insufficient wage adjustments.

The TUCP also prodded Congress to immediately pass a law that will exempt minimum wage earners and other low-income workers from paying withholding taxes.

“Ideally those earning P15,000 per month and below should be exempted from paying additional taxes”, TUCP said.

TUCP stressed that minimum wage earners are unable to afford basic nutritional requirements. The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) says that a family of six needs at least P681 for basic needs.

The minimum wage in Metro Manila, the highest in the country, stands at P325 per day.