AMID the soaring prices of basic commodities, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) yesterday asked the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board – National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) to grant wage earners in Metro Manila an additional P470 daily pay.
In its five-page wage petition, the TUCP asked the NCR wage board to provide an across-the-board pay hike that will bring the regional minimum wage rate in the region to P1,007.
“Recognizing the value of health, safety, and life when epidemic struck us with sicknesses, deaths, anxiety, fear, depression, and grief, the TUCP is seeking P470.00 additional daily minimum wage in the NCR,” said TUCP.
“Wherefore, petitioner Trade Union Congress of the Philippines most respectfully prays for the granting of P470.00 daily wage increase for all private sector workers in the NCR to be given across-the-board since all need healthy food and are subject to the same changes in the prices of goods and services,” it also said.
The labor group noted the last pay hike in the NCR was on November 22, 2018.
“After three years and almost four months since the 22 November 2018 Wage Order 22 effectivity, the measly P25.00 increase has long dissipated,” said TUCP.
It also pointed how the purchasing power of the existing P537.00 daily minimum wage in the NCR is only at P494.02.
“The take-home pay of a minimum wage earner is a measly P493.98/day after the government mandated deductions, with a purchasing power of only P454.44,” said TUCP.
The group likewise that the 2021 government data show that P16,625.00 per month is the poverty threshold for the NCR.
“Compare it with the current minimum wage of only P13,962.00, with a purchasing power of only P12,844.53,” said TUCP.
Last week, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III directed all RTWPBs to start the review of existing minimum wage rates as prices of fuel and other basic commodities have been skyrocketing, especially since the Russia-Ukraine conflict started.
In a virtual press briefing, Labor spokesman Rolly Francia welcomed the wage petition of TUCP.
“This petition is a welcome move so that the process of studying the increase in the salaries will be sped up,” said the labor official.
Francia said they are certain that the NCR wage board will do its job and study the petition in consideration of all factors.
