Metro Manila workers seek P213 pay increase

MANILA, Philippines — Workers in Metro Manila yesterday asked for P750 daily minimum wage to help them cope with the high cost of living in the region.

Members of the Unity for Wage Increase filed a petition with the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) seeking P213 increase in the daily minimum pay of workers.

Charlito Arevalo, spokesman for the group, said the current P537 minimum wage rate in Metro Manila is way below the estimated P1,008 cost of living for a family of five daily.

National Wages and Productivity Commission executive director Criselda Sy said the wage board may consider the wage hike petition filed by the labor group.

Sarah Mirasol, director of the Department of Labor and Employment National Capital Region, said nine petitions for salary increase remain pending with the RTWPB.

Mirasol said they would look into the petitions after they have come out with a decision whether or not to increase the salary of housemaids.

According to Arevalo, a family of five spends at least P19,400 monthly for food, housing, utilities and medical expenses.

Last June, the RTWPB dismissed the petitions for salary hike filed by different labor groups.

Under the law, RTWPBs are prohibited from granting successive wage hikes within a year unless there is a supervening condition or unusual increases in the prices of basic goods.

In November last year, the wage board granted a P25 cost of living allowance, which was integrated into the basic pay.