AS the country celebrated the 121st Labor Day this year, senators paid tribute to all Filipino workers here and abroad for their “sacrifices and immeasurable” contributions to the country’s economic growth by pushing for a possible wage hike.

On Labor Day, May 1, 2023, several senators expressed the need for the government to consider the plight of many Filipino workers amid the economic challenges that the country is facing due to the recent spike of COVID-19.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri renewed his commitment to pushing for legislation that will “protect and advance the interests of workers across the country,” particularly about the pressing need for a wage hike.

“This Labor Day, I join all our workers in fighting for decent benefits, living wages, and fair working conditions,” said Zubiri.

“This is especially crucial as rising costs of goods and utilities continue to hit our people’s pockets, to the point that even toiling with a full-time job is no longer enough to support their families’ needs,” the Senate president said.

The National Capital Region (NCR), according to Zubiri, currently has the highest daily nominal wage rate, at P570.00 (non-agriculture), while the lowest is at P316.00 (non-agriculture), for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

At the onset of 2023, the Philippines saw its “highest” inflation rate in 14 years, hitting 8.7% based on studies.

“We urgently need to address the growing gap between wages and expenses, which is why last March, I filed an across-the-board wage increase act,” Zubiri explained.

Zubiri’s Senate Bill (SB) No. 2002, or the “Across-the-Board Wage Increase Act of 2023,” seeks to raise wages in the private sector across all regions by P150.

“We must uplift our workers and ensure that they get the compensation they deserve. Workers form the foundation of the entire business sector, and without them, our economy and country will fall apart. So let us give them their due. By providing a true living wage, we empower our workers to support not only their families and their communities but also the country at large,” the Senate chief added.

For Sen. Jose Jinggoy Estrada, the contributions of Filipino workers here and abroad should be rewarded by giving them what is due them according to the law.

“At sa Araw ng Paggawa, nais ko pong ipaalam sa mga manggagawang Pilipino na nakatakda ng talakayin ng Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development sa susunod na linggo, May 10, ang mga panukalang batas na magsasaayos at magtatakda ng dagdag-sahod para sa mga nasa pribado at iba’t-ibang sector,” Estrada said.

“Hindi man naihabol ngayong taon kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng Labor Day ang panawagang legislated wage increase, makakaasa ang publiko na gugulong na sa Senado ang mga inihaing panukalang batas. Kabilang dito ang panukalang pagrepaso sa umiiral na patakaran sa pagtaas ng minimum wage, pagbigay ng P150 across-the-board wage increase at pag-amyenda sa Wage Rationalization Act para taasan ang mga parusa sa mga hindi susunod sa mga itinakdang pagtaas, at pagsasaayos ng wage rates ng mga manggagawa,” Estrada continued.

Estrada acknowledged the hardship that the country and its people are facing due to the recent spike of COVID-19, but he maintained that this must not stop everyone from “fighting” as he urged the need to give Filipino workers the much-needed help in coping with the challenges.

“We will not be remiss in our sworn duties in putting forth what needs to be done to uplift the lives of our kababayans who have suffered because of [the] economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The best way to help our workers is to ensure that they have a secure and permanent job. Thus, there’s a need to balance the needs of the workers with the capacity of the employers to ensure job preservation and job creation,” he pointed out.

“We will listen to the comments and inputs from the tripartite sectors: labor, employer, and government, and look forward to a mutually beneficial result for both workers and employers,” he concluded.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo said this (Labor Day) is a celebration for each and everyone as he gave all Filipino workers a salute for giving their best to help our nation, considering the many struggles and obstacles that we are facing.

“Sa araw na ito, bigyang pugay natin ang mga bayani ng ating bayan – ang mga manggagawang Pilipino! Hindi na siguro lingid sa kaalaman nating lahat na marami sa kanila ay naghihikahos dahil hindi sapat ang sahod na kanilang natatanggap para ipantawid sa pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan nila at ng kanilang pamilya,” Tuflo said.

“Hindi nasusuklian ng tama ang pawis at sakripisyo nila sapagkat ang kasalukuyang nakasaad na minimum wage ay halos wala ng saysay dahil sa sobrang mahal na ng mga bilihin at hindi na kayang bumuhay ng maayos ng isang pamilya,” Tulfo furthered.

Based on a recent study made by the IBON Foundation, the normal income of a Filipino worker must be at least P1,161 daily. The P570 /day minimum wage for NCR is “not even an ideal rate.”

“Bagamat nagkaroon ng dagdag sahod noong Hunyo 4, 2022 lamang na P33 kada araw, ang omentong ito ay hindi man lang naramdaman ng mga bulsa ng ating mga manggagawa dahil sumabay dito ang hindi napigilang pagtaas ng mga bilihin. At bilang tugon sa matagal ng panawagan nila, ng mga labor groups para sa minimum wage increase, nagfile ako ng Senate Resolution (SR) No. 476 noong Pebrero 2023, kasabay ng mga panukalang batas na inihain ng iba pang mambabatas, para ipatawag ang lahat ng Regional Tripartite Wages Board (RTWB) at lahat ng stakeholders ng labor sector, kabilang ang DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) at DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), upang dinggin ang panawagan ng mga manggagawa na magkaroon na ng makabuluhang dagdag-sahod,” Tulfo said.

This coming May 10, 2023, the Senate Committee on Labor chaired by Tulfo will tackle the wage hike proposal to review the possible amendment and adjustments needed. By CAMILLE P. BALAGTAS & PS JUN M. SARMIENTO