Workers hail House approval of ?200 wage hike

CEBU, Philippines —  A labor alliance in Cebu has welcomed the House Committee on Labor’s approval of a ?200 across-the-board wage increase, calling it a significant step toward improving workers’ livelihoods.

The group now urges the Senate to pass a counterpart measure as soon as possible.

According to AMA Sugbo KMU, this wage increase will help workers keep up with the rising prices of basic commodities, including the escalating costs of electricity, water, and oil.

The House Committee on Labor and Employment approved last Thursday the substitute bill titled “An Act Providing for a ?200 Daily Across-the-Board Increase in the Salary Rates of Employees and Workers in the Private Sector,” which consolidates House Bills 514, 7568, 7871, and 10139.

“This approved bill is an initial victory for the working class in the private sector. We welcome all types of initiatives to increase wages,” said Jaime Paglinawan, chairman of AMA Sugbo KMU.

The group has long been advocating for a family living wage of ?1,200.

Citing a report from IBON Foundation, AMA Sugbo KMU emphasized that a family living wage represents the necessities a worker and their family need to live decently, including food, rent, transportation, and more.

With this latest development, the group also hopes for a Senate counterpart bill before this year’s elections.

“This development in the House Committee on Labor needs a counterpart bill in the Senate, which must be passed and enacted into law before the May 2025 elections,” Paglinawan added.

In February last year, the Senate approved its own wage increase measure, but the proposed hike was only ?100.

“Kinahanglan hinanali nga mohimo ang Senado og counter bill alang sa ?200 across-the-board wage increase. Ipamatuod nila base sa ilang giingon sauna nga ilang himoan og susamang bill kon mas dako pa nga wage increase sa ilang gipasar nga ?100 wage increase sa minimum wage earner. Kini nga across-the-board wage increase maaapil ani nga ma-increasan ang over and above sa minimum nga suholan,” Paglinawan stressed.

AMA Sugbo KMU also vows to continue supporting and pushing for the ?200 across-the-board wage increase to become a law until the ?1,200 family living wage is established as the national minimum wage.

The group also stressed that under Article XIII, Section 3 of the Philippine Constitution, workers in the country must be provided a living wage.

Should this be realized, it will be the first wage increase of this kind since 1989, Paglinawan told The Freeman.

“Unang higayon ni kon mamahimong balaod ang ?200 across-the-board wage increase gikan 1989, human napasar ang Wage Rationalization Act nga maoy nagmando sa pagtukod sa mga regional wage board nga milansang, mibuakbuak sa suholan sa mga amumuo matag rehiyon,” Paglinawan concluded. (CEBU NEWS)