Central Luzon labor group pushes for nationwide P150 wage hike

A labor group in Central Luzon on Sunday called for a nationwide P150 legislative wage increase in a bid to address the disparities in regional wages.

This, after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced that wage boards in the Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, and SOCCSKSARGEN approved an increase in daily minimum wages, benefitting a total of 682,117 minimum wage earners. 

Melanie de Dios, chairperson of the Trade Federation for Garments and Textiles of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), said that while they welcome the P40 increase for workers in non-agriculture, agriculture, and retail/service establishments in Central Luzon, there should be a decent standard of living for all workers in the country.

"Our local affiliates welcome the recent P40 wage hike as thousands of our members will  benefit from this increase as our new members will be directly covered and others under our CBAs (collective bargaining agreement) are affected by wage distortion," she said.

"However, this is just one piece of the puzzle. To ensure a decent standard of living for workers across the nation, we must pursue a nationwide P150 legislative wage hike,” she added.

Upon effectivity, the new wage rate in the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales will be P493 to P500 for workers in non-agriculture establishments, P454 to P470 for workers in the agriculture sector, and P475 to P489 for retail and service workers.

Meanwhile, the new rates in the Aurora province shall be P449 for non-agriculture, P422 to P434 for agriculture, and P384 for retail and service workers.

Despite this, FFW stressed that wage discrepancies between regions “have been a pressing concern for workers and labor unions.”

“While the P40 increase in Central Luzon offers some relief, it is viewed as insufficient to meet the rising cost of the basic needs of workers and their families in various regions,” it said.

“While we are committed to collective bargaining negotiation in the workplaces, the call for a P150 legislative wage hike resonates with the unorganized workers who are determined to improve their living conditions and provide adequately for their families,” it added. — BM, GMA Integrated News