TUCP to push for P320 wage hike for workers nationwide

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Thursday said they would propose for a P320 increase in the daily wage of workers nationwide.

According to a 24 Oras report by Ivan Mayrina, this is different from the proposed measure of some progressive lawmakers which seeks to increase the national minimum wage to P750.

Under the group's proposal, the minimum wage in Metro Manila will be increased from P512 to P832 while the P265 wage in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will be increased to P585.

"Ang mangyayari po diyan, differentiated pa rin 'yung mga wages. Hindi po pare-parehas na lahat ng mga regions," said Vincente Camilon Jr., TUCP's assistant secretary-general.

"Kung ang tanong po ay kaya, kaya pong ibigay kung gugustuhin lang ibigay dahil ito naman po dapat talaga napunta sa workers," he added.

The report said the P320 increase may be obtained from the inflation rate, the expected 10 percent increase in the electricity, water and transportation expenses, and the equity supplement.

Meanwhile, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the wage of workers can only increase by P18 to P23.

The National Wages and Productivity Commission, for its part, said it would still check the interest of workers, businesses, and the economy as a whole before making a decision regarding wage hike.

"Siyempre titingnan mo 'yung flow nung investment so kung ikaw ang investor, saan mo ilalagay ang investment mo?" said Maria Criselda Sy, executive director of the commission.

Calls for wage hike arose following the continuous increase in the prices of commodities and services. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News