Rather than throwing brickbats over the supposed timing and intent of the approval by the House of Representatives’ labor and employment committee of the wage hike bill, the committee’s chairperson urged the country to instead stand united in calling for the immediate passage of the measure.
“Mas mahalaga po na tumindig tayo at magkaisa para tuluyan nang maisabatas ito kaysa nagaaway.”
“The wage hike bill is a much-needed measure that could bring relief to millions of minimum wage workers across the whole country. Mas mahalaga po na tumindig tayo at magkaisa para tuluyan nang maisabatas ito kaysa nagaaway,” Rizal 4th District Rep. Fidel Nograles said on Friday.
Nograles’ committee on Thursday approved the committee report on the substitute bill providing for a P200 -from an initial P150- legislated across-the-board increase in the wage of private sector workers.
The bill’s approval comes after a meeting between Speaker Martin Romualdez and other House leaders with major labor groups earlier this week.
Nograles had earlier explained that the committee had to consult various stakeholders, thus the extended period for the bill’s approval.
However, a rise in inflation in December underlines the urgency of a legislated wage hike to help Filipino families to cope with the higher cost of living, the lawmaker said.
The Philippine Statistics Authority earlier this month reported that inflation rose to 2.9 percent in December, higher than the 2.5 percent recorded in November, due mainly to higher prices of housing and energy.
“Tugon po ito sa pagsumamo ng ating mga kababayang manggagawa ng suporta upang matustusan nila ang pangangailangan ng kanilang mga pamilya.”
“Naniniwala po kami sa komite na mahalagang interbensyon ang wage hike dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin. Tugon po ito sa pagsumamo ng ating mga kababayang manggagawa ng suporta upang matustusan nila ang pangangailangan ng kanilang mga pamilya,” said Nograles.
