THE Federation of Free Workers (FFW) yesterday welcomed the proposal of Sen. Vicente Sotto III to provide workers a 14th-month pay but stressed this doesn’t end their call for the passage of an across-the-board P200 legislated wage hike.
In a statement, FFW said it is hoping the proposal of Sotto would be approved, stressing this would provide substantial aid to workers.
“The 14th-month pay is a long-overdue relief for workers facing rising costs of living,” said the FFW.
“A midyear 13th-month pay (by June 14) and a 14th-month pay (by December 24) would directly ease school, holiday, and year-end expenses,” it added.
The labor group said it would continue pushing for the P200 across-the-board legislated wage hike.
“They must pass the 14th month pay bill while also heeding workers’ call for an across-the-board P200 daily wage hike,” said the group.
“While bonuses help, they cannot substitute for a living wage,” added FFW.
Sotto has filed a bill seeking to require private sector employers to grant their workers a 14th month pay on top of the existing 13th month pay.
Sotto said Senate Bill No. 193 seeks to help ease the workers’ burden amid the rising costs of commodities and other expenses.
