MANILA, Philippines — A labor group yesterday sought President Duterte’s intervention in increasing the daily mininimum wage in Metro Manila to P100.
“We are asking the President to raise the measly P25 wage increase,” Alan Tanjusay, spokesman for the Associated Labor Unions, said.
Tanjusay made the appeal amid reports that a P25 pay hike for workers in the metropolis had been approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III is expected to hold a press briefing today to announce the new minimum wage in the National Capital Region.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo earlier said the approved P25 wage hike is not yet official.
Tanjusay said at least four million workers in Metro Manila are suffering due to the rising prices of basic goods.
“Mr. President, workers and their families have been longing to taste the fruits of your genuine change for the Filipinos,” he said.
Tanjusay said a P100 pay hike would increase the daily minimum wage to P612.
He blamed the Employers Confederation of the Philippunes for prematurely announcing the decision of the RTPWB to grant a P25 wage hike.
According to Tanjusay, workers’ representatives in the RTWPB were outvoted by the employers and government representatives during the deliberations.
The militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno slammed the government for denying that the RTWPB approved a P25 pay hike.