Petitioners led by Partido Manggagawa stage a protest pushing for a wage increase in time for the National Capital Region-Regional Wage Board public hearing at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City on Thursday, June 20, 2024. The group called for a PHP 1,207 minimum wage in the NCR and urged the Regional Tripartite and Productivity Board (RTWPB) to conduct a more in-depth study on the current needs of workers to ensure they earn living wages that would enable them to support their families. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Wage hikes outside the National Capital Region might be lower than the approved P35 for the private sector in Metro Manila, the National Wage Coalition said on Wednesday.

NCR workers to get P35 daily minimum wage hike

Labor groups in the coalition held a press conference in Quezon City to express their dismay over the “measly” wage hike approved by the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board. 

Kilusang Mayo Uno Secretary General Jerome Adonis said the approved increase in NCR will be used as a basis in setting the minimum wage in other regions even if wage petitions higher than P35 will be filed.

Solon slams P35 wage hike in Metro Manila as 'insulting'

“Base sa karanasan, mas maliit ang kaya nilang ipasa sa mga region at nakakalungkot, maliit na nga, hinahati pa sa tranches. Barya na nga lang, pagdating sa mga region, binabarya pa lalo. Kitang-kita ‘yung kawalang respeto, kawalang pagkilala doon sa napakahalagang ambag ng mga manggagawa,” Adonis said.

(Based on experience, wage hikes in other regions will be lower. What's worse is the tiny salary increase was still broken up into tranches. It's like spare change; when it gets to the regions it's even smaller. This shows their lack of respect for workers.")

With the wage hike in NCR set lower than the value requested in wage petitions, other Regional Wage Boards may push back deciding on a new minimum wage in their areas according to Federation of Free Workers.

“Hindi under pressure itong ibang wage boards to give increases now kasi ang panghahawakan nila ‘yong anibersaryo ng mga wage orders noong previous years. Therefore, it gives them much leverage na i-dribble ang wage petitions hanggang hindi na sila magbigay,” FFW Vice President Julius Cainglet said.

“Sinasabi rin po sa mechanisms na kahit walang petitions. We go back to how sensitive they are to workers. Lumalabas naman ang kawalang konsiderasyon nila sa mga manggagawa,” he added. 

NCW slammed the RTWPB and called for its abolishment for allegedly favoring enterprises on the recent wage order.

The wage order cited that workers are “entitled to their fair share in economic growth” and enterprises are also allowed to have “reasonable returns on their investments and to expansion and growth.”  

Trade Union Congress of the Philippines Legislative Officer Paul Gajes expressed their dismay over the Department of Labor and Employment’s alleged disregard for workers.

“Ang nakakalungkot pa po, parang ang DOLE at regional wage boards ay kumampi pa sa employers. They chose to side and take more consideration to the profits of capitalism and employers rather than towards a living wage,” Gajes said.

(What's saddening is that DOLE and regional wage boards seem to be siding with employers,)

“Sampal sa mukha talaga ito sa manggagawang Pilipino dahil ang dami nang open na businesses ganoon. Sinasabi gumaganda ang ekonomiya, pero ang profits, sweldo ng ating workers are being kept at poverty levels,” he added. 

(This is a slap in the face for all workers because a lot of businesses are open now. They say the economy is improving, but the profits, the workers' wages are being kept at poverty levels.)

Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino President Luke Espiritu called the wage hike “shameful” and urged for the approval of the legislated wage increase. 

"All the rest ng factors na binibigyan ng bigat, for example capacity to pay, investments sa lugar, lahat ‘yan pabor sa business. That’s the reason why hindi tayo magkakaroon ever ng solusyon sa regional wage board. Panahon na na buwagin na ‘yan, (It's time to dissolve those)” Espiritu said. 

NCW called for the urgent passage of the proposed P150 legislated wage hike.

The coalition also urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify the bill as urgent before his State of the Nation Address this July.

The P35 increase in the minimum wage is barely enough to cover the basic needs of workers amid inflation, according to Nagkaisa Spokesperson Rene Magtubo.

“Ang paghingi ng P150 pataas ay daan pa lang patungo sa living wage. Pinarerecover pa lang namin yung lost purchasing power. ‘Yong P35, one-third lang ‘yan eh ng nawalang halaga sa sweldo ng mga tao sa NCR based on the Consumer Price Index as of May 2024,” Magtubo said. 

(Asking for a P150 wage hike is the first step to getting a living wage. We are just asking for recovery of the lost purchasing power. The P35 is not  enough based on the Consumer Price Index as of May 2024

“‘Pag tumaas ang sweldo ng mga manggagawa, tataas ang kanilang purchasing power, magkakaroon ng positibong impact sa ating ekonomiya,” he added.

(Higher wages for workers will increase their purchasing power and boost the economy.)