WITH only three session days left in the 19th Congress, the labor sector is pressing lawmakers to convene the Bicameral Conference Committee and pass the legislated wage hike bill.
In separate statements, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) and the Partido Manggagawa (PM) said there is no more room to delay the passage of the proposed law that aims to give workers a substantial wage hike adjustment.
“They must urgently convene the bicameral conference committee to reconcile the proposed wage increases,” said the PM.
“The wage hike is reasonable, fair, and needed. Let’s pass it for the people,” said the FFW.
PM said it is part of the constitutional duty of Congress to ensure that it not only passes bills but also ensures their timely enactment.
“Any delay at the bicam level risks killing this historic opportunity to grant workers a long-overdue, substantial wage hike,” said PM.
The FFW said it would be good if the government disregards the perennial claims of the business sector that a wage hike will result in mass layoff.
“Dear bicam members, don’t fear the ghost of a mass layoff; rather, fear the ghost of the hungry workers and their families,” said FFW.
Last week, the House of Representatives approved the proposed Wage Hike for Minimum Wage Workers Act, which pushes for a P200 wage increase.
The Senate approved its version of the P100 legislated wage hike as early as February 2024.
