House weighs P200 wage hike bill before adjournment

Labor groups are urging the House of Representatives to pass a bill granting a P200 nationwide wage increase before the 19th Congress adjourns on June 13.

Speaker Martin Romualdez stated that the passage of the P200 wage hike bill is uncertain, saying "We'll see" when asked about its approval before the adjournment.

The House Committee on Labor and Employment approved a substitute bill for a P200 across-the-board legislated wage increase in January, which would mandate private employers to increase daily salaries irrespective of capitalization or employee count.

This House version offers a higher increase than the Senate's approved bill for a P100 daily wage increase for all minimum wage earners in the private sector.

If the wage hike measure is not signed into law by June 13, it will have to be refiled in the next Congress.

The National Wage Coalition called on the House of Representatives to approve the P200 legislated minimum wage hike as soon as possible.