United Labor Western Visayas has criticized the newly approved minimum wage increase of P40 to P45 per day, describing it as inadequate for workers and demanding a P250 daily wage hike.
Mario Andon, spokesperson of United Labor Western Visayas and regional coordinator of Partido Manggagawa, said the proposed increase does not sufficiently address the rising cost of living faced by minimum wage earners.
Andon said the group is seeking an additional P250 in daily wages, arguing that the proposed P590 daily rate would still leave workers struggling to meet their basic needs.
He explained that workers earning P590 a day would receive only P11,800 in gross monthly income if they worked 20 days, excluding deductions for contributions to the Social Security System, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG.
Andon said the daily minimum wage should reach P1,112 based on the family living wage.
He also called on the government to provide support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), similar to assistance extended to the transport sector, to help businesses sustain operations and prevent job losses.
Andon confirmed that the group would continue staging protests until workers received what it considers adequate wages and benefits.
The National Wages and Productivity Commission recently approved a daily minimum wage increase of P40 to P45 for agricultural and non-agricultural workers in the private sector in Western Visayas.
Department of Labor and Employment Region 6 Director and Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board Chairman Atty. Sixto Rodriguez Jr. said the agency is awaiting the formal document before implementing the wage order.IMT
