Pay hike for Ilocos workers sought

MANILA, Philippines — Minimum wage earners in Ilocos region are seeking an increase in their daily take-home pay.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) filed yesterday a petition to raise the salary of workers in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan and La Union by P420.

“The current daily minimum wage of P340 in Ilocos region is way below the needed daily income for a family of five to survive in the face of rising prices of basic food and services,” TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said.

He appealed to the Department of Labor and Employment and Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) to immediately grant their petition.

Mendoza said the RTWPB is mandated to ensure that workers are receiving wages that will guarantee them a decent life.

“We demand your urgent action. Please do not dribble the ball and pass the buck to the next administration,” he said.

Mendoza expressed dismay that the plight of minimum wage earners is being taken lightly by the government.

He said the current take-home pay in the region can afford a meal worth only P12.44 for each member of a family of five.

Mendoza said the last salary increase granted to workers in Ilocos region was in October 2019, which ranged from P17 to P30.