No extra pay for workers today

Even if it’s a special holiday today, workers who will report for work will not be getting any additional pay.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz explained that under the law, the rules on special working holiday shall apply on July 27, which has been declared a national working holiday to commemorate the founding anniversary of Iglesia ni Cristo.

“No premium pay is required since work performed on special working holiday is considered work on an ordinary working day,” Baldoz said.

Members of trade unions are planning not to report for work so they could join today’s anti State of the Nation Address rallies.

The labor coalition NAGKAISA led by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said their members are joining the massive rallies to dramatize their protest against President Aquino’s failure to improve the lives of workers nationwide during his presidency.

NAGKAISA noted that despite the Aquino government’s claim of robust economic growth, unemployment and underemployment remained high. Workers are also getting measly salaries and could hardly afford basic needs.

The labor coalition also noted that it has been 26 years since Congress last passed a minimum wage law and it is about time to pass a new across-the-board wage increase to set a new floor recognizing the contribution of workers to building the wealth of the economy.

NAGKAISA proposed a new minimum wage be set at P136 across all regions to help workers cope with their lost purchasing power for the past years.

The labor coalition also criticized the Aquino government’s inability to curb the rampant contractualization in many companies nationwide.