‘DoLE must protect workers’ welfare’
SEN. Francis Joseph“Chiz”Escudero said on Sunday that the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) needs to support Senate Bill (SB) 2534, which seeks to grant a P100 increase in the daily minimum wage of employees in the private sector.
He reminded DoLE that its primary job is to look after the welfare of workers, not to block any legislation that aims to uplift the living conditions of the labor force.
“I wondered why DoLE is objecting to this measure. It is supposed to take the side of workers,” Escudero said on Sunday in a statement.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma earlier warned that the wage hike, once implemented, will lead to a possible increase in the prices of basic commodities.
“What they are doing is DTI’s job. This justifies the bill because no one is looking out for our workers, and everyone is just simply pro-business,” Escudero said.
The Senate on February 19 approved on third and final reading SB 2534, providing for a P100 daily minimum wage increase for about 4.2 million employees and workers in the private sector.
Escudero expects the House of Representatives to pass its own version of the proposed legislation so that the minimum wage earners in the private sector will finally have their longdelayed salary adjustment.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri thanked his fellow senators for answering the call of low-income workers. “Their salaries are not enough to cover their daily expenses. It is not even enough to buy rice,” he said.
Zubiri appealed to the House of Representatives to act on the wage increase bill and heed the call of the labor sector for a salary hike.
Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda clarified that microenterprises are exempted from the implementation of the proposed P100 daily minimum wage hike under Republic Act (RA) 9178, or the “Barangay Micro Business Enterprises” (BMBE) law, and RA 6727, or the “Wage Rationalization Act.”
Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor and sponsor of SB 2534, said the Senate “is responsive” to the needs of Filipinos amid rising prices of basic commodities.
He said that the last legislated wage hike was implemented in 1989.
“It’s been a long time coming. This may be only P100 a day now, but we vow to not stop here,” said Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., coauthor of SB 2534.
House counterpart bill
The House Committee on Labor and Employment has set a meeting for Wednesday (February 28) to discuss the two measures seeking a legislated wage hike for private sector workers.
House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe said the House leadership was studying proposals for P150 and P350 in daily minimum wage hikes.
“Our workers are enduring tough times, and as their representatives, it is imperative that we find substantial solutions to alleviate their financial burdens,” Dalipe said.
“The urgency of these discussions highlights the House’s dedication to timely and impactful legislative action,” Dalipe said.
“While any increase is a step in the right direction, we must ensure that our legislative actions truly make a meaningful difference in the lives of our workers, particularly when considering the substantial challenges faced by the business sector, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.”