AMID the surging prices of fuel and basic commodities, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) yesterday filed a petition before the regional wage board for a P428 wage increase in Calabarzon.
In its petition, the TUCP asked the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-Region 4A (RTWPB-Region IV-A) to adjust the current P400 minimum wage per day in the region.
“We are now demanding the wage board to do its duty to set minimum wages that can really meet the basic needs of workers and their families in Region 4-A,” the TUCP said.
“The wage board must act swiftly and grant our wage petition immediately to save our workers and their families from total starvation,” it added.
The labor group noted that the last pay adjustment in Calabarzon was four years ago.
“The P21.50 increase in different provinces, cities, and municipalities in April 2018 had long (been) dissipated by the succeeding price increases since that year,” TUCP said.
It also pointed that the current P400 minimum wage per day in the region actually has a lower purchasing capacity of P353.05.
“They are receiving wages below the poverty threshold, and are barely surviving,” said TUCP.
If granted, the minimum wage rate in Calabarzon will go up to P828 per day.
Earlier, the TUCP also filed wage petitions in the National Capital Region, Central Visayas, Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga, Soccsksargen, and Central Luzon.
