Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines (AHN) – Various Philippine groups criticized the measly $0.51 (PHP 22) daily minimum wage increase for Metro Manila workers approved by the wage board of the Department of Labor and Employment’s National Capital Region on Monday.
The hike was actually incorporated into the cost of living allowance of minimum wage earners, which slightly increased their daily compensation to $9.94 (PHP 426). However, the hike was paltry compared to the $1.75 (PHP 75) increase sought by trade unions.
Among the critics of the salary increase was Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, who said over a radio interview that the non-stop rise in gasoline, food and other basic commodity prices will eat up the small wage hike granted NCR workers.
Trade union officials said the hike was short of the promise of good news for Metro Manila minimum wage earners President Benigno Aquino III made before Labor Day. They hit the Aquino administration for being fast in approving hikes in transport fares, but too slow in alleviating the tight economic spot many Filipinos grapple with.
The wage increase, which will take effect by the end of May, was also hit by legislators who described the increase a “too little, too late.”
Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello said the COLA adjustment is mere loose change compared to the escalating prices of goods and services.
Because of the widespread disenchantment by workers over the measly wage hike – which was defended by employers’ group as the only amount they could yield to without resulting in businesses closing – Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casino pushed for approval of a bill that proposes a $2.91 (PHP 125) across-the-board legislated daily salary increase for all Filipino workers.
Casino pointed to the 10.19 percent fuel price inflation, 7.28 percent transport fare increase and 4.03 percent food price hike as the justifications for the proposed across-the-board pay adjustment.
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