NWC asks Marcos to certify P200 legislated wage hike as urgent

Labor groups on Monday renewed their call for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent a proposed bill legislating the P200 nationwide wage increase. 

Members of the National Wage Coalition (NWC) reiterated their appeal as they pushed for the certification of the measure to ensure its passage before the closing of the 19th Congress. 

“Sa dalawang linggo na pag-uusapan ng Kongreso ang nalalabing business nila, marami pang ibang bills. Kaya nangangailangan ng sertipikasyon ng ating Pangulong Marcos para makasigurado na ito ay maipasa na sa third reading, didiretso na sa bicam at ito ay pipiramahan at magiging batas,” said TUCP Vice President Luis Corral in a media briefing. 

(The Congress only has two weeks after the resumption of session. There will be a lot of bills to be discussed so we are urging for the certification from President Marcos so it will be passed.)

“It is 36 years since we last had a legislated wage increase. Napapanahon na. In the face of unprecedented hunger and increasing poverty, there is a national emergency.,” Corral added. 

(It has been 36 years since we last had a legislated wage increase. It is about time we pass this because, in the face of unprecedented hunger and increasing poverty, there is a national emergency.)

Congress went on a break on February 5, 2025 to give way for the campaign period for Eleksyon 2025. Session will resume on June 2 until the sine die adjournment on June 13, 2025. 

Last February, the House of Representatives approved on second reading House Bill No. 11376 or the “Wage Hike For Minimum Wage Workers Act” which provides that the daily rate of all minimum wage workers in the private sector, regardless of employment status, shall be increased by P200 a day.

The Senate already approved a P100 legislated daily minimum wage hike for private sector workers in March 2024.

Meanwhile, the NWC also urged Marcos Jr. to meet with labor leaders.

“Hanggang ngayon wala pang pagkakataon na napagbigyan yung mga leaders na makausap sya….Napaka-importante sa leader ng bansa na kausapin ang lider ng kaniyang social partner,” said Nagkaisa Sonny Matula. 

(We have yet to meet with him. It is important for a leader of a country to meet with the leaders of his social partners.)

“Walang tunay na makakapag-salita para sa manggagawa maliban sa mga manggagawa. Kaya ang ang aming request sa kaniya harapin niyo po ang leader ng TUCP para makita niya at mapakinggan ng personal ang hinaing at isyu na dala ng manggagawa,” he said. 

(No one can speak for workers aside from workers. Our request is for him to face us and listen to our issues and appeal.)

Malacañang last week said the petitions for the wage hike will be up to the Regional Wage Boards.—RF, GMA Integrated News