Cayetano wants living wage to reduce need for OFWs

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said the government should pursue a long-term labor agenda that will allow Filipinos to stay and work in the country instead of leaving out of financial necessity.

In his privilege speech following President Marcos’ SONA, Cayetano said overseas employment should remain an option—but not the only way for Filipinos to earn a decent living.

“Can we have a vision whether it’s five years, ten years, twenty years, where a Philippine President can say wala nang Pilipino na OFW na napilitan lang mag-OFW dahil walang trabahong maganda sa Pilipinas?” he said.

Cayetano said the country should move beyond a minimum wage and work toward a living wage that can cover a family’s basic needs.

He cited Senate Bill No. 104, which seeks to create the Executive-Legislative Labor Commission that will craft a long-term labor roadmap toward achieving a living wage.

He recalled meeting a Filipino chef in Singapore who said he would gladly return home even for half of his salary if he could still support his family.IMT