The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) supports fully the proposed P100 increase in daily minimum wage of private sector employees and workers nationwide as it lauds the measure as "a step in the right direction for the improvement of the Filipino labor force."
The proposal is contained in Senate Bill (SB) No. 2534 which was unanimously approved by the Senate on its third reading during the plenary session last Feb. 19.
If the bill turns into law, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said it could be the first time since 1989 that a legislated pay hike would be implemented nationwide.
"We commend the efforts of the Legislative, particularly the Senate, the labor sector, and other sectoral groups, in amplifying the call for a just and equitable minimum wage for Filipino workers," the CHR said in a statement.
While the country has a widely-recognized and dynamic labor force, the CHR lamented that the fight for livable wages has placed workers in the path of struggle and resistance. With the ongoing inflationary trend, many Filipino workers find it hard to make ends meet, it said.
The CHR said some Filipinos are forced to work abroad in order to provide a good life for themselves and their families. Some chose to stay, but the CHR said that the harsh reality of unequal opportunities and low pay makes their stay challenging on a daily basis.
"The Commission upholds its mandate that every Filipino has an equal right to a good life. We believe that proactive policies that champion the rights of our Filipino workers are essential in providing them with not only economic opportunities, but also a sense of dignity and honor as Filipino workers," the CHR said.
"While it may seem minimal, the proposed P100 increase in the daily minimum wage is a step in the right direction for the improvement of the Filipino labor force. We value this positive change and recognize its importance in achieving a better and more empowered workforce in the country," it added.
At the same time, the CHR said that it is crucial to strike a balance between considering the economic implications and providing equitable minimum wage salaries, particularly in the context of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
"Pushing for a sustainable, inclusive, and equitable, minimum wage is critical to promoting a humane quality of life, both for employees and employers, and we believe that this is one of the most transformative policies that the government could implement for its people," it said.
It expressed hopes that the wage increase, if enacted, will help the Filipino labor force become more capable in providing for themselves and their families, which in turn would improve their quality of life.