The passage of the ₱100 across-the-board increase in the Senate and the ₱200 minimum wage hike in the House of Representatives is the result of the continuous demand of workers for a living wage.
Though it falls short of the ₱1200 daily minimum we are pushing for, the passage marks the first time a legislated wage hike is passed in Congress since 1989 and underscores the utter failure and inutility of the wage boards.
Let this sound the alarm, and push legislators to reflect on and re-evaluate the current wage setting mechanism under RA 6727. We reiterate our call for the repeal of RA 6727, an end to the regionalization of wages and the abolition of the RWBs. The workers seek to reestablish a National Minimum Wage based on a family living wage.
Bongbong Marcos must sign this bill once it is transmitted to his office. The wage hike is already insufficient and if it is vetoed, it will further expose how anti-worker the Marcos regime is. Our anger from decades of poverty wages will not be quelled by token “reforms.” We refuse to be blinded by theatrics of cabinet reshuffling and hollow promises of ₱20-peso rice for minimum wage earners.
The fight for a family living wage is now more urgent as it has been proven that a legislated wage hike is possible. We will remain vigilant to assure that this law is passed and fully implemented. We will continue to launch massive protests for wage hikes, a national minimum wage, better working conditions and a life anchored on human dignity.
Fight for living wages – P1200 nationwide!
Fight for wages, jobs, and workers’ rights!
Long live the Filipino workers!
Ours is the future, ours is victory!