File photo shows laborers in a factory at the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. (Photo from the Facebook account of the MEPZ Workers Alliance)
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Wednesday approved on second reading a bill pushing for a P100-daily minimum wage increase for private sector workers.
Senate Bill No. 2534 under Committee Report No. 190 was unanimously approved during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri hailed the second reading passage of the “landmark” measure, calling it a “Valentine’s Day gift” to workers.
According to Zubiri, if the upper chamber greenlights the measure on final reading, it could be the first time since 1989 that a legislated pay hike would be implemented nationwide.
“I think this is the farthest this measure has ever been since a similar bill was passed many years ago,” Zubiri noted, adding that he expects the measure to hurdle the chamber’s third and final reading next week.
The Senate chief then noted that now, more than ever, is the time to increase the minimum wage of workers, particularly those in Visayas and Mindanao who are earning P360 a day.
“How can you live with P360 a day? It’s impossible. Once this bill is passed and becomes a law, this will provide a great relief to our poor and hardworking employees,” he added.
Zubiri appeals to House
Once the measure gets the final approval of the Senate, Zubiri said he is hoping that their counterparts in the lower chamber would also take up the measure.
“Kapag naipasa na po namin ito, we are appealing to the House of Representatives na sana i-take up po nila itong measure na ito, because we feel that it’s time t help our workers, ang ating mga manggagawa, na itaas ang minimum wage lalong lalo na sa Visayas at Mindanao,” said Zubiri in an ambush interview.
(Once we have passed this, we are appealing to the House of Representatives that they will take up this measure, because we feel that it’s time to help our workers to raise the minimum wage especially in the Visayas and Mindanao.)
