THE Federation of Free Workers (FFW) yesterday revived its call for a P150 across-the-board wage increase in the country amid the latest series of price hikes for basic commodities.
In a statement, FFW said there is a renewed necessity to adjust the salaries of workers via legislation considering the new jump in prices of fuel, rice, and fare, among others.
“We urgently call on Congress to immediately enact a P150 legislated wage increase nationwide. Recent developments have intensified the financial strain faced by Filipino workers,” the group said.
“Ordinary workers need a substantial wage hike nationwide. The evidence is overwhelming: the living costs are escalating, and our workers are bearing the brunt of the unabated inflation,” it added, noting that fuel prices have continuously risen over the past six weeks.
Earlier in the month, an increase in the minimum fare for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines 1 and 2 also took effect.
The retail price of rice is also on an upward trend for the past months and is expected to persist in the coming weeks.
On the other hand, the proposed laws for an across-the-board wage increase in the country remain pending in Congress.
FFW said the labor sector can no longer rely on the wage orders being issued by the regional wage boards.
“The wage boards have, over the past 34 years, consistently sanctioned only marginal or inconsequential wage increments,” said FFW.
Last June, the National Capital Region (NCR) wage board granted a P40 minimum wage hike for Metro Manila workers.
Other regional wage boards, meanwhile, are still deliberating the wage hike petitions filed in their respective regions.
