Party-list solons hit ‘scanty’ P25-wage hike in NCR

ACT Teachers Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro on Monday criticized the “scanty” wage increase in the National Capital Region (NCR), saying the P25 adjustment in the salary of Metro Manila workers is still “insufficient” amid high prices of goods and services in the country due to TRAIN law.

In approving a wage modification, the NCR Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board has effectively raised Metro Manila workers’ daily pay to P537 from the current P512.

READ: DOLE raises NCR minimum wage to P537 with P25 hike

“Hanggang saan aabot ang P25 ng manggagawa ng NCR sa taas ng presyo ng mga bilihin at pamasahe ngayon? This measly wage hike for one region will not be enough to compensate price hikes from TRAIN as workers all over the nation endure the price hikes of basic goods due to TRAIN 1. They are demanding for a P750 national minimum wage not loose change of P25,” Tinio said.

Tinio and Castro have renewed their call for a P750 national minimum wage and the repeal of the “regressive provisions” of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

Castro urged the government to prioritize the passage of House Bill 7877, which establishes a P750 national minimum wage and imposes stiffer penalties for violations.

“Among the regions with the highest recorded inflation rates in September were Bicol region with 10.1% and ARMM with 9%. These are also the regions with low minimum wage. It is about time that the government imposes a national minimum wage for our workers,” she added.

The lawmakers also cited a study by the Ibon Foundation, which states that the family living wage as of September 2018 is already P1,001 in the NCR.

Castro said their demand for a P750 national minimum wage is already below the family living wage.

“We call on President Duterte to prioritize the passage of the national minimum wage bill and repeal the regressive provisions of TRAIN. It is not impossible if this administration has the political will to listen to the people’s demands for national minimum wage, increase in their salaries and an end to contractualization,” Castro added. /kga