Groups renew call for wage hike on Labor Day

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Unfazed by the sweltering heat on Monday morning, May 1, transport and labor groups staged a protest in front of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol with a renewed call for a wage hike amid rising inflation and the improvement of working conditions.

“Mahal and balaklon pero gamay ang sweldo (The prices of goods are skyrocketing but the wage is too small),” said Elmer Forro, Secretary General of Bayan Panay.

He emphasized that many are struggling in poverty due to the high cost of living coupled with low wages.

Recently released political prisoner Adora Faye de Vera extended her solidarity to the workers, acknowledging their ongoing battles against labor and human rights violations.

“Kami sa Kapatid, bisan indi tanan mamumugon, nagapangapin kag nagasuporta sa paghimakas sang mga mamumugon para sa mas mataas nga suhol, kasiguruhan sa palamugnan, mas maayo nga mga kundisyon sa pagtrabaho, pagpauntat sang kontraktwalisasyon kag pagpauntat sang atake sa mga unyon kag sa mga mamumugon nga nagabato,” she said in her message read by Ron de Vera.

[We stand in solidarity and support the struggles of workers for higher wages, job security, better working conditions, the cessation of contractualization, and the halt of attacks on unions and workers who fight back.] 

Meanwhile, Lucy Francisco of Gabriela Panay and Guimaras shed light on the plight of women workers, urging for the protection and defense of people’s livelihoods.

Economic think tank Ibon Foundation reported that as of March 2024, the family living wage (FLW) for a family of five in Western Visayas is at P1,011, in contrast to the P480 daily nominal minimum wage rate set by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.

The figure indicates a 53 percent wage gap, according to the think tank.

Across all regions, the average minimum wage is only P440 or just a little over one-third of the average of P1,207.

The National Capital Region has the largest minimum wage of P610, but is still barely half of the P1,197 FLW. It’s worse in BARMM where the P361 minimum wage is not even one-fifth of the P2,053 FLW.

In Western Visayas, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported a noticeable increase in the cost of living, with the inflation rate climbing to 3.1 percent in March 2024.

The PPA also reported that in March 2024, one peso from the base year of 2018 is now worth only 78 centavos, indicating a diminishing purchasing power of peso.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his Labor Day statement has urged the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) to conduct a timely review of the minimum wage, taking into account the impact of inflation on the working class.

He called for the review to be completed within 60 days prior to the anniversary of the region’s latest wage order.

“I call on the National Wages and Productivity Commission to review its rules to ensure that the boards are able to maintain a regular and predictable schedule of wage review, issuance, and effectivity to reduce uncertainty and enhance fairness for all stakeholders,” he added.

Forro they have not filed a petition for a wage hike before the RTWPB Western Visayas but instead advocated for the P100 daily minimum wage hike bill that was approved in the Senate in February.

Meanwhile, the city government of Iloilo honored its workers with a Labor Day Unity Run. The event was organized by the Philippine Army and attended by various sectors from across the city.

Proceeds from the unity run will reportedly go to the people’s organizations advocating for peace and welfare.