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| Photo from Vera Files |
The labor group
Partido Manggagawa (PM) welcomed the announcement of Senate President Juan
Miguel Zubiri that they will facilitate the passage of a legislated
across-the-board P150 salary hike but also called on the House of
Representatives to fast-track its counterpart bill.
“A P150 across-the-board wage hike is indeed a happy bill
since it will uplift workers' lives and not just because it is a pet advocacy
of legislators. Make the happy bills happen now!,” stated Rene Magtubo,
PM national chair and a Marikina city councilor.
“We could not agree
more with Senator Zubiri that private sector minimum wages have been eroded by
inflation and are less than half the Constitutionally-mandated living wage.
Thus, the imperative for immediate relief for workers through a legislated wage
hike which Congress has the power to enact. Workers are suffering from starvation
wages. Instead of a living wage, workers are paid a libing wage,” Magtubo
explained.
Using the latest
consumer price index data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the group
calculates that P88 has been eroded from the P570 minimum wages of Metro Manila
workers as of the January inflation of 8.7%. Inflation in areas outside of the
National Capital Region is even higher. However, the cost of living for a
family of five is estimated by PM to be around P1,300 per day.
“The labor movement
must link up arms to win war, that is to fight for a wage increase for wage
recovery. The working class needs champions in and out of Congress but only
unity and action of workers can defeat the resistance of employers to a wage
hike,” Magtubo asserted.
PM also asked Senator
Zubiri to consider the long-standing demand for the abolition of the regional
wage boards which discriminate against workers outside Metro Manila. “Instead,
we demand a National Wage Commission with the power to adjust wages on the basis
of price increases and productivity growth. Even before the recent inflation,
wages have stagnated amidst a decade and half of 50% rise in labor
productivity. This means that employers have monopolized economic growth and
workers have been left behind,” Magtubo elaborated.
He added that “Further, we are proposing a policy package called Apat na Dapat. First, wage hikes. Second, abolition of regressive taxes like VAT and application of progressive taxation such as a wealth tax on oligarchs and billionaires. Third, social security subsidies for informal workers. Fourth, discounts on basic commodities. These will protect and improve the wages and incomes of workers in the formal and informal economy.”
Press Release
Partido Manggagawa
May 8, 2023
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