Labour group in the Philippines calls for minimum wage review

A labour group has applauded the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) directive to review the existing minimum wage level amid soaring commodity prices. This comes after DOLE issued the directive to the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs).

Luis Corral, Vice President of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), said the wage boards should act on their own initiative on the matter, in view of the 14-year record high 7.7% inflation in October this year and its significant impact on the purchasing power of the wages of workers. 

He said, “We urge the wage boards to immediately convene and for the tripartite discussion to begin as soon as possible. Even without a wage hike petition and in consideration of the directive of no less than the DOLE Secretary, the wage boards can and must act on this matter right away. We believe that the government, employers, and employees are ready to discuss the wage review, considering the difficult predicament we are all in.”

READ: Minimum wage could be raised again in the Philippines

TUCP also called on the government’s economic managers to prioritise and zero in on three principal items: bring down food and electricity inflation and provide a labour assistance subsidy fund. The government, added Corral, should provide labour assistance subsidy funds through cash subsidies and/or food vouchers for workers, especially minimum wage earners, reported PNA.