SEN. Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday joined the nation in recognizing “the tireless spirit of our workers” responsible for nation-building and reaffirmed his “full commitment” to the passage into law of the daily wage increase.
“Today, we celebrate the strength, sacrifice, and perseverance of the Filipino worker — the true foundation of our nation’s growth and success. I join every Filipino in recognizing the tireless spirit of our workers who build our cities, drive our economy and sustain the hopes of every family,” Zubiri said.
He stressed that the rising cost of basic goods and services has affected workers.
“Whether it’s the P100 hike already approved by the Senate, the proposed P200 increase in the House of Representatives, or any reasonable amount in between that brings real relief to our workers… Ang dagdag sahod ay hindi regalo. Isa itong karapatan na dapat igalang at ipaglaban (Wage increase is not a gift but a right that should be respected and fought for),” he said.
He said the Filipino worker has waited long enough and it is time the daily wage increase is approved.
“They deserve not just praise, but policies that uplift them, protect their rights, and honor their sacrifices,” he added.
Sen. Grace Poe said a wage increase will be a “timely and meaningful gift to our workers” amid the soaring prices of goods and services.
“We have continuously pushed for legislation to give our workers better pay and stronger rights. The increase in teaching allowance for our teachers is already a law. We also authored the bill on the P100 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act to provide our hard working labor force a decent wage,” she said.
“We also urged employers with the means to provide allowances or benefits to extend this assistance to their employees,” she added.
Poe said the Senate has also filed a proposed Magna Carta for Workers in the Informal Economy at the start of the 19th Congress in July 2022.
“As the backbone of the economy, the Filipino labor force deserves a decent living wage that will give their families a respectable standard of living,” she said.
The Senate has passed on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2534 on February 19, 2024, which seeks a P100 daily minimum wage increase for employees and workers in the private sector.
A similar measure is still pending in the House.
Senate President Francis Escudero said the country’s 50 million-strong workforce deserves to be given due recognition for being the backbone of the economy as the nation commemorates Labor Day.
“Ang Labor Day ay isang mahalagang pagkakataon upang bigyang-pugay ang ating mga manggagawa—ang tunay na haligi ng ating ekonomiya. Sa kanilang sipag, dedikasyon, at walang sawang pagsisikap, naitataguyod ang mga industriya, negosyo, at serbisyo na nagbibigay-buhay sa ating bansa at kabuhayan sa mga mamamayan (Labor Day is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of our workforce– the true pillars of our economy. Their tireless efforts, dedication, and perseverance have established industries, businesses, and services which give livelihood to our people),” Escudero said.
He said this day is the perfect time to acknowledge their invaluable contribution to the country.
“Marami pong salamat sa inyong sakripisyo at pagsusumikap. Mabuhay ang manggagawang Pilipino! (Thank you very much for your sacrifices and perseverance. Long live the Filipino work force!)” he added.
PAY RULES
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded the private sector of the pay rules that will be in effect for today’s celebration of Labor Day.
In Labor Advisory No. 05-2025, the DOLE said private sector employees are entitled to additional pay for the May 1 regular holiday.
For work done during the regular holiday, the employer shall pay a total of 200 percent of the employee’s wage for that day for the first eight hours, and an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on said day for overtime work.
For work done during a regular holiday that also falls on the employee’s rest day, the employer shall pay the employee an additional 30 percent of the basic wage of 200 percent, and an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on said day for overtime work.
If the employee does not work, the employer shall pay 100 percent of the employee’s wage for that day, provided that the employee reports to work or is on leave of absence with pay on the day immediately preceding the regular holiday.
Under Proclamation No. 727 – 2024, May 1 has been declared a regular holiday in celebration of the 123rd Labor Day.
DMW JOB FAIR
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is set to offer almost 5,000 jobs abroad in its Labor Day job fair today at the Robinsons Galleria in Quezon City.
According to the DMW, some 4,700 overseas employment opportunities will be offered during the “DMW Labor Day Mega Jobs Fair.”
“A total of 11 licensed recruitment agencies are expected to participate to offer more than 4,700 job orders for both land-based and sea-based workers,” said the DMW.
The Department said the event will be at Level 3 of Robinsons Galleria – Ortigas, starting at 10 am.
The DMW job fair coincides with the fair to be held by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in 69 sites nationwide.
“As part of this year’s Labor Day Celebration, 2,281 participating employers will be offering 216,144 job opportunities,” said DOLE in a separate statement.
The top five regions with the highest number of job offers are the National Capital Region with over 63,000, Central Luzon with around 32,000, Calabarzon with over 18,000, Western Visayas with nearly 18,000, and the Zamboanga Peninsula with more than 13,000 opportunities.
Participating job seekers can expect vacancies from the manufacturing, retail, business process outsourcing, accommodation/food service activities, and financial/insurance industries.
In particular, top vacancies include production operators, sales clerks, call center representatives, service crews, and microfinance officers.
“The job fairs will be mounted as a special activity across all regions dedicated to the Filipino workers and job seekers,” said DOLE.
‘LIBRENG SAKAY’
Malacanang defended the four-day free train rides offered by the government to celebrate Labor Day, adding that malice or politics should not be injected into the program meant to recognize and reward Filipino workers.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, in a briefing in Malacanang, said the government opted to implement the free rides for four days instead of limiting it to May 1 because most workers do not go to work on the day of the holiday.
Castro also said they opted to implement it today, despite being near the midterm elections, because the celebration of International Labor Day is on May 1.
She said the free rides aim to provide workers a few days of reprieve from paying fare.
“Ang May 1 po kasi International Labor Day po ito. Hindi naman po natin puwedeng ibigay ito sa mga manggagawa sa December. So, tama lamang po sa panahon kung kailan dapat isini-celebrate po ang Labor Day, doon lamang po natin ibigay (May 1 is the International Labor Day. We give it to the workers in December. So, it is fitting to give it when Labor Day is being observed),” she said.
“Huwag naman po nating bigyan ng malisya, hayaan po nating makinabang iyong taumbayan sa mga maaaring itulong ng gobyerno sa kanila (Do not add malice into it, allow the public to benefit from this help from government),” she added.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced last Tuesday the implementation of free rides in the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT3) and Light Rail Transit 1 and 2 (LRT1/2) from April 30 to May 3 in honor of the workers and observance of Labor Day. – With Gerard Naval and Jocelyn Montemayor
