KMU seeks hike in minimum wage as prices soar

The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) labor center will press for an increase in the minimum wage due to skyrocketing food prices. Jerome Adonis, secretary general of KMU, said they would refile their petition that was set aside by National Capital Region wage board on June due to the economic and health crisis brought by the pandemic. He argued that a wage increase had become “more urgent” especially for minimum wage earners since food prices had reached an all-time high. “Pork and vegetables are so expensive. Prices are surging but the Duterte government is not doing anything to help workers survive,” Adonis said. The daily minimum wage in Metro Manila was raised to P500 to P537 in November 2018. Adjusted for inflation, the real daily minimum wage is P404 to P434. Groups including KMU filed a wage hike petition in April 2019, but the wage board said it would only entertain new petitions at least a year from the last increase. —Dona Z. Pazzibugan