Workers group urges gov’t to raise minimum wage to P750

A workers group has demanded a P750 daily minimum wage across the country as they called for the passage of the National Minimum Wage bill filed by the Makabayan bloc on Monday.

Kilos na Manggagawa said they support the measure that seeks to increase the daily minimum wage to P750.

“The bill reflects the demand of workers to change the law on wages,” Jen Pajel, the group’s spokesperson said in a statement.

“The NMW bill gives consideration to the rising cost of basic commodities, and aims to address the wide gap between the daily minimum wage and the Family Living Wage,” she added.

READ: Makabayan bloc seeks P750-minimum wage nationwide

The group called on foreign and local corporations to support the proposed measure.

“These companies can afford the P750 minimum rate considering the huge profit they get, but they refuse to give wage increases because of their greed,” she said.

According to Pajel, companies have benefited the most from the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN).

The group said they are open to have a dialogue with small and medium enterprises that are willing to increase wages but are bothered by the rising cost in utilities and taxes.

“We believe that what is burdening them more is not the wages, but the cost of utilities and taxes. Big foreign and local companies enjoy tax holidays and various subsidies like free water and electricity,” she pointed out.

“This must change to allow small and medium enterprises to flourish,” she added. /ee