‘Nothing more urgent than raising workers’ wages’

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SENATE deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros yesterday urged President Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent the passage of the proposed legislated wage increase to speed up its passage into law, saying millions of Filipinos cannot wait amid the rising prices of basic goods and services.

“Nothing is more urgent than raising our workers’ wages. Kailangan nila ito ngayon (They need it now),” Hontiveros said.

Last Monday, the House of Representatives approved on second reading House Bill No. 11376 which seeks a P200 minimum wage increase only for minimum wage earners in the private sector.

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The Senate, on the other hand, approved Senate Bill No. 2534 in February last year, which proposes a P100 daily minimum wage increase for “workers in the private sector, regardless of employment status, including those in contractual and sub-contractual arrangements, whether agricultural or non-agricultural.”

Hontiveros said further delay in the passage of the proposed measure into law would “push more families deeper into poverty,” the reason why the President should consider certifying its passage as urgent.

While she supports the legislated wage increase, Hontiveros said that it is only a step forward.

“There is still a need to push for a P1,200 daily living wage. Filipino workers deserve a decent salary that truly meets their needs,” she added.

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