Neophyte lawmakers propose single minimum wage nationwide

A bloc of neophyte lawmakers in the House of Representatives is pushing for a bill to establish a single, uniform daily minimum wage for all private sector workers nationwide, abolishing the regional wage boards.

House Bill 55, also known as the "Equal Pay for Equal Work Act," seeks to eliminate the disparity in take-home pay between workers in Metro Manila and those in the provinces.

This proposed legislation would mean that provincial workers would receive the same basic daily wage as their counterparts in the National Capital Region.

Currently, the minimum wage in Metro Manila is P695 daily, following a P50 increase approved on June 30 that took effect on July 18.

The existing system, governed by regional tripartite wage and productivity boards, sets different minimum wages based on the cost of living in each area, resulting in lower pay for provincial workers.

Proponents argue that this disparity is unfair, especially considering the estimated daily family living wage is at least P1,200, as indicated by the IBON Foundation.