Bets urged to back P125 wage hike

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential and vice presidential candidates in the May 2016 elections were urged yesterday to push for a P125 across-the-board wage increase to help workers cope with the rising cost of basic commodities.

Members of the militant Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) took to the streets to dramatize their call for the country’s next leaders to take measures to raise the prevailing wage rate.

“We want workers’ wages to be one of the main agenda in the national discussion before the elections. That’s why we challenge all candidates for national positions to bare their stand on our call for a P125 wage hike,” KMU secretary general Jerome Adonis said.

Adonis said presidential and vice presidential aspirants would expose themselves as pro-capitalist and anti-worker if they express outright opposition to their appeal for wage increase.

Based on a study done by Ibon Foundation, Adonis said an average Filipino family needs P1,088 daily to live decently – a far cry from the P481 minimum wage in Metro Manila.

A Pulse Asia survey, conducted from May 30 to June 5, showed that 47 percent of Filipinos were concerned about lower inflation and higher wages.

“Only a significant wage hike and not the meager adjustments approved by the regional wage boards could bring relief to workers suffering from hunger and indebtedness,” Adonis said.

Meanwhile, a group of government workers criticized Budget Secretary Florencio Abad for saying that rank-and-file employees do not need salary increases since their wages are comparable to the pay of those occupying high positions in the private sector.