THE National Wage Coalition (NWC) yesterday called on incoming members of the 20th Congress to pass the first legislated wage hike in the country in 36 years, saying this is necessary given the worsening geopolitical conflict and the looming price hikes.
In a statement, the NWC said congressmen and senators must pass a law mandating a salary increase, noting that tension in the Middle East will surely cause a spike in the prices of basic commodities.
“With oil prices surging due to global geopolitical conflicts, the cost of nearly every basic necessity is set to soar even higher,” said the NWC.
“Standing for the legislated wage hike is not only good politics because it is good public service—it is a social, economic, and moral imperative,” added the group composed of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), and Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (NAGKAISA).
The NWC said incoming lawmakers should prioritize the filing of a wage hike bill as soon as the 20th Congress opens.
They said lawmakers should pursue what was started by the 19th Congress, which failed to convene the bicameral conference committee to reconcile the measure.
“Workers will continue to march forward in calling on every legislator in the House of Representatives and in the Senate to refile and pass the legislated wage hike bill as their first and foremost priority measure,” it added.
“They must reaffirm their rhetoric of support and commitment for its swiftest passage in the 20th Congress,” the NWC added.
Earlier in the week, oil companies implemented hikes in the price of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene.
Big-time increases in fuel prices are expected to continue owing to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
