Senator-elect Jinggoy Estrada. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — Senator-elect Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday vowed to work closely with incoming Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and incoming Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) secretary Toots Ople to pursue pro-labor legislation in the 19th Congress.
Estrada said this in a statement as he explained that Filipino workers both local and abroad need “all the help in protecting their rights and getting their rightful share in the fruits of their labor” especially amid the pandemic and the global economic crisis.
“I’ve had a very cordial and professional relationship with Sec. Benny when he was my father’s labor secretary and during my 12 years as chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor. I was able to craft many laws with his valuable inputs and insights,” Estrada said.
He added that he also worked closely with Ople.
“One of my campaign promises is to ensure funding for the newly-created DMW. I would gladly work with Sec. Toots in ensuring that her department would get the necessary resources to fulfill its mandate,” he said.
Estrada earlier promised to introduce reforms to the Wage Rationalization Act, which placed the responsibility of setting the minimum wage with the 17 regional wage boards.
“The national government should have more flexibility in adjusting the basic pay of ordinary workers especially in times of crises or emergencies,” he said.
“Government must ensure that Filipinos earn enough to have a decent life and prevent their mass migration in search of better pay,” he added
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