Lawmakers press Marcos to certify wage hike bill as urgent | ABS-CBN
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Lawmakers press Marcos to certify wage hike bill as urgent
Lawmakers press Marcos to certify wage hike bill as urgent
Laborers work under the heat of the sun, along a road under repair along Legarda Street in Manila on February 23, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Laborers work under the heat of the sun, along a road under repair along Legarda Street in Manila on February 23, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — Lawmakers on Thursday urged President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to prioritize the passage of the proposed law mandating a P100 wage hike for workers in the private sector.
MANILA — Lawmakers on Thursday urged President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to prioritize the passage of the proposed law mandating a P100 wage hike for workers in the private sector.
For Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, a legislated minimum wage hike is the best gift that the President can give to all Filipino workers.
For Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, a legislated minimum wage hike is the best gift that the President can give to all Filipino workers.
"I urgently appeal to our President to consider Senate Bill No. 2534, or the P100 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act, which will be a massive step toward giving our hardworking laborers the living wages that they deserve. Perhaps it can even be certified as urgent, given the continued spike in the prices of goods owing to inflation," the Senate President said in a statement.
"I urgently appeal to our President to consider Senate Bill No. 2534, or the P100 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act, which will be a massive step toward giving our hardworking laborers the living wages that they deserve. Perhaps it can even be certified as urgent, given the continued spike in the prices of goods owing to inflation," the Senate President said in a statement.
The Senate bill was approved on third and final reading last February, and is now pending in the House of Representatives. Several House leaders have expressed objection to the bill.
The Senate bill was approved on third and final reading last February, and is now pending in the House of Representatives. Several House leaders have expressed objection to the bill.
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“Our inflation rates are continuing to trend upward, at a rate that the wage boards have not yet been able to keep up with. So our workers, despite making massive contributions to our industries, are still dealing with wages that are not enough to cover their needs,” the Senate President stressed.
“Our inflation rates are continuing to trend upward, at a rate that the wage boards have not yet been able to keep up with. So our workers, despite making massive contributions to our industries, are still dealing with wages that are not enough to cover their needs,” the Senate President stressed.
“All we need is the House counterpart measure, and this will be immediately felt across the sector.”
“All we need is the House counterpart measure, and this will be immediately felt across the sector.”
On Labor Day, Marcos said he ordered the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board to conduct a "timely review" of minimum wage rates in the regions.
On Labor Day, Marcos said he ordered the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board to conduct a "timely review" of minimum wage rates in the regions.
Zubiri clarified that the Senate bill will simply augment the wage increases enforced by the wage boards, and that the succeeding wage hikes will remain the responsibility of the wage boards.
Zubiri clarified that the Senate bill will simply augment the wage increases enforced by the wage boards, and that the succeeding wage hikes will remain the responsibility of the wage boards.
“This bill will only give a boost to the labor sector at this time of great need, as our people work to survive inflation.”
“This bill will only give a boost to the labor sector at this time of great need, as our people work to survive inflation.”
Sen. Francis Escudero had a similar call for Marcos to certify the bill as urgent.
Sen. Francis Escudero had a similar call for Marcos to certify the bill as urgent.
"I hope this will lead to him certifying the Senate’s minimum wage increase bill… so that the House will prioritize and pass it too…" Escudero said.
"I hope this will lead to him certifying the Senate’s minimum wage increase bill… so that the House will prioritize and pass it too…" Escudero said.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva also reiterated that the ball is now in the House lawmakers' hands.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva also reiterated that the ball is now in the House lawmakers' hands.
"The Senate has already passed the P 100 daily minimum wage rate increase bill and is currently waiting for legislative action on the part of the House of Representatives. For our part, we have been pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 2140, which seeks to establish living wage as the basis to determine the daily minimum wage pursuant to the mandate in our Constitution," Villanueva said.
"The Senate has already passed the P 100 daily minimum wage rate increase bill and is currently waiting for legislative action on the part of the House of Representatives. For our part, we have been pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 2140, which seeks to establish living wage as the basis to determine the daily minimum wage pursuant to the mandate in our Constitution," Villanueva said.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III believes that Marcos' order for wage review was a sign that the "system is not working."
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III believes that Marcos' order for wage review was a sign that the "system is not working."
"Because if the existing system needs the President to request the regional wage boards to review wage rates before the RWB actually acts and reviews them, then that only shows that the system is not working. The RWBs must be out of touch with reality already. They are not sensitive anymore to the actual situation on the ground," Pimentel said.
"Because if the existing system needs the President to request the regional wage boards to review wage rates before the RWB actually acts and reviews them, then that only shows that the system is not working. The RWBs must be out of touch with reality already. They are not sensitive anymore to the actual situation on the ground," Pimentel said.
Makabayan bloc lawmakers also called on Marcos to certify the wage hike bill as urgent to prove that he was serious about uplifting the plight of workers.
Makabayan bloc lawmakers also called on Marcos to certify the wage hike bill as urgent to prove that he was serious about uplifting the plight of workers.
“Kaya kung seryoso talaga si President Marcos Jr., i-certify as urgent niya na, no? Yung pagtataaas ng sweldo. At hindi na ito dapat na pag-aralan. Ang tagal na yung pag-aaral. At nandun pa siya sa level na yun, ng pagre-review," ACT Teachers party list Rep. France Castro said.
“Kaya kung seryoso talaga si President Marcos Jr., i-certify as urgent niya na, no? Yung pagtataaas ng sweldo. At hindi na ito dapat na pag-aralan. Ang tagal na yung pag-aaral. At nandun pa siya sa level na yun, ng pagre-review," ACT Teachers party list Rep. France Castro said.
The Makabayan bloc has previously filed a bill for a P750 across-the-board wage increase for workers in the private sector.
The Makabayan bloc has previously filed a bill for a P750 across-the-board wage increase for workers in the private sector.
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