Workers face price shock as wages stall

Partido Manggagawa criticized the government’s inaction on workers’ demand for a wage increase after inflation surged to 7.2 percent in April from 4.1 percent in March.

The labor group said the price spike has further weakened the value of the minimum wage and added pressure on workers already struggling with higher food, fuel and utility costs.

“Prices of goods have been jumping sharply. But while BBM may have jumped to show he is physically fit, in reality the President is paralyzed when it comes to pushing for wage increases for workers,” said Mario Andon, spokesperson of the Iloilo chapter of Partido Manggagawa.

According to Andon, the April inflation surge will further worsen the erosion of the current minimum wage.

“Workers are already war-shocked by price hikes and bill shock. But even more shocking is the inaction of Malacañang and Congress on wage increases. There is a state of emergency, but the response is anything but urgent,” Andon added.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said headline inflation accelerated to 7.2 percent in April 2026, bringing average inflation from January to April to 3.9 percent.

The PSA said faster increases in food and nonalcoholic beverages, transport, and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels were the main contributors to the uptrend.

Food inflation rose to 6.1 percent in April from 2.7 percent in March, while core inflation, which excludes selected food and energy items, increased to 3.9 percent from 3.2 percent.

The April inflation rate was the highest since March 2023 and exceeded the government’s 2 percent to 4 percent target range.

Partido Manggagawa said workers received no wage increase despite widespread protests during the recent Labor Day observance.

Labor groups, including Partido Manggagawa, earlier renewed calls for a PHP 200 daily wage increase nationwide.

Partido Manggagawa reiterated its call for a PHP 200 wage hike and for lowering prices by removing regressive taxes, including value-added tax on critical goods such as oil and electricity.