Allowances please: Pinoy workers need 'wage enhancements', says party-list


At a glance

  • Trabaho Party-list is calling for "wage enhancements" for civilian workers, similar to the recently announced ₱200 daily allowance increase for military personnel.


20230715_182553-01.jpeg(MANILA BULLETIN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trabaho Party-list is calling for "wage enhancements" for civilian workers, similar to the recently announced ₱200 daily allowance increase for military personnel.

While the military allowance hike is a positive step, it underscores the urgency to address wage disparities affecting other sectors, says Trabaho Party-list spokesperson lawyer Mitchell-David Espiritu.

He highlighted the importance of implementing a "living wage" system that ensures workers can meet their basic needs, rather than relying solely on minimum wage standards. 

Trabaho Party-list made the call some two weeks ahead of the observance of Labor Day.

The ₱200 daily allowance hike for military personnel marked the first such adjustment in a decade.

The House of Representatives recently approved on second reading the P200 daily minimum wage increase bill. If enacted, it will benefit approximately five million minimum wage earners nationwide.

For a balanced approach, Espiritu suggested non-wage benefits--such as transportation and medical allowances--which can provide immediate relief to workers without imposing significant financial burdens on businesses.

The pro-worker group also called for a review of the current provincial wage rates to ensure they reflect the cost of living in various regions. 

Espiritu underscored that wage reforms should not be seen as adversarial but as collaborative efforts between employers and employees to uplift the standard of living across the country.

Trabaho Party-list urged policymakers to prioritize comprehensive wage reforms that consider both the welfare of workers and the sustainability of businesses.