Pasig court issues TRO on P85 Metro Manila minimum wage hike

The Pasig Regional Trial Court has issued a temporary restraining order on the implementation of the P85 increase in the minimum wage in Metro Manila or the National Capital Region, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said he was saddened by the court's decision but added that the department will respect and abide by the ruling.

In a statement, the department said it would defer to the court as regards the basis for its decision.

In a statement, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) condemned the petition filed before the Pasig City RTC that sought to suspend the implementation of Wage Order No. 27 issued by the National Capital Region–Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (NCR-RTWPB).

The TUCP said the petition filed by two construction firms sought "to deprive Metro Manila workers of the long-overdue P85 daily minimum wage increase, beginning with the P60 first tranche that took effect on July 25, and to force workers to wait even longer for relief that is already grossly inadequate in the face of soaring prices of food, transportation, electricity, housing, and other basic necessities."

"This is the height of corporate greed, desperation, and utter indifference to the daily suffering of Filipino workers," the labor group said. —NB, GMA News