House OKs P200 daily pay hike for minimum wage workers on final reading

Metro Manila, Philippines - The House of Representatives has approved on final reading a measure pushing for a P200 daily pay hike for minimum wage workers in the private sector.

During the plenary session on Wednesday, June 4, 172 House members voted in favor of the bill, no one was against, and one abstained.

House Bill 11376, or the Wage Hike for Minimum Wage Workers Act, covers all minimum wage earners in the private sector regardless of employment status.

“Ang patuloy at hindi mapigilang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin ay isa lamang sa mga rason kung bakit ito’y napapanahon,” Cavite Rep. Jolo Revilla, the bill’s author, said.

[Translation: The continuous and uncontrollable price increase of commodities is just one of the reasons why this is timely.]

Other House members lauded the measure’s passage.

“Ang botong yes ay salbabida para sa mga manggagawang nalulunod sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin, presyo ng petrolyo, presyo ng tubig, at presyo ng kuryente,” Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña explained.

[Translation: The yes vote is a lifesaver for workers who are drowning from the rising prices of commodities, fuel, water, and electricity.]

“I believe when we take care of our workers, we’re actually helping businesses in the long run. More income means more spending. More spending means more economic activity,” Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre said.

“Bagama't kapos ang P200 na umento para abutin ang nakabubuhay na sahod, signipikanteng hakbang na ang pagpasa nito para iusad ang usapin ng sahod sa bulwagang ito,” said Rep. Arlene Brosas, who voted yes with reservation.

[Translation: While the P200 wage hike is insufficient to reach a livable income, the passage of this bill is significant to move the issue forward in this chamber.]

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines praised the development.

“This is not just a vote but the resounding declaration of the House of Representatives that no one who works for a living in this country should live a miserable life of chronic hunger and abject poverty,” it said in a statement.

It urged the Senate and House to convene the bicameral conference committee immediately to reconcile differences in their respective measures.

In Metro Manila, the current minimum wage is ₱645 for non-agriculture workers and ₱608 for those in the sectors of agriculture, service and retail establishments employing up to 15 workers, and manufacturing regularly employing up to 10 workers. The rates are lower in the provinces.

The last legislated wage hike was in 1989.