Senate OKs on second reading P100 wage hike

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate approved on second reading yesterday a bill seeking a P100 daily minimum wage increase for private sector workers – a Valentine’s gift to minimum wage earners.

During plenary session, senators unanimously approved Senate Bill 2534 under Committee Report No. 190, a measure which, if it becomes law, could be the first since 1989 that a legislated pay hike would be implemented nationwide.

“This is our Valentine’s Day gift to all our workers,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said, hailing the passage of a landmark measure mandating an across-the-board increase of P100 in the daily minimum wage of workers in the private sector.

“This is for them (workers). I think it will be a perfect timing because today is the day of hearts. It’s the day of love and sharing,” the Senate chief said.

Employers have consistently opposed a legislated wage hike. The law leaves wage setting to regional tripartite wages and productivity boards.

The Senate President thanked his colleagues for supporting the measure and sharing his vision of uplifting the living conditions of Filipino families, citing in particular Sen. Jinggoy Estrada who shepherded the bill’s passage.

Zubiri said he expects the measure to hurdle third and final reading next week and appealed to members of the House of Representatives to do their part and pass a counterpart measure.

“We feel that it’s time to help increase the minimum wage of our workers, particularly those in the Visayas and Mindanao who are currently earning P360 a day,” Zubiri said.