Labor groups to picket House for P200 wage increase

The National Wage Coalition, an alliance of labor groups including the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Nagkaisa! Labor Coalition (NAGKAISA!), and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), plans to picket the House of Representatives on Monday morning to urge immediate passage of a P200 wage increase.

Sonny Matula, NWC convenor and FFW president, emphasized that the Senate approved its version in February, leaving only six session days for the House before Congress adjourns on June 12.

The proposed bill mandates a P200 across-the-board daily wage hike for all private employers, regardless of company size.

Matula stressed that failing to pass this legislation would delay progress towards achieving a living wage as guaranteed by the Constitution since its ratification nearly four decades ago.

Labor groups argue that higher wages will give workers more purchasing power and generate income for businesses, while the business sector fears job losses and inflationary effects.