Tolentino wants gov't to set minimum wage on a regional basis

Senator Francis Tolentino on Friday said he would revisit existing government policies on minimum wage and set this on a “regional basis.”

In an interview on CNN Philippines, Tolentino said new labor policies should be introduced after the assumption of the new president.

“Maybe, after the inauguration of the new president, that new labor policies would have to be spelled out,” he said.

“Again, we have to revisit the law making the minimum wage on a regional basis, whether it has to be legislated [or not],” he added.

The lawmaker made the remark after explaining his proposed Workers’ Rest Act, which seeks to allow employees their “right to disconnect” by prohibiting their bosses to contact them beyond their duty hours.

With six session days left in the 18th Congress, Tolentino said he intends to refile the proposed law in the next Congress.

“I will refile even if this is not approved in the 18th Congress,” he said.

He then thanked the lawmakers in the House of Representatives for filing a counterpart bill of his proposed legislation.

He said he would pursue this in the next Congress as this is “very critical” in the post-pandemic era.

Both Houses of Congress have adjourned sessions last February 2.

They are set to resume sessions on May 23 or after the 2022 national and local elections. -- BAP, GMA News