Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero has called on the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) to support Senate Bill (SB) 2534, which aims to grant a P100 increase in the daily minimum wage for employees in the private sector. He emphasized that DoLE’s main responsibility is to safeguard the welfare of workers, rather than impede legislation that aims to improve their living conditions.
Escudero expressed his confusion as to why DoLE is objecting to the measure, stating that the department should be advocating for the rights of workers. In response to DoLE’s concerns about the potential increase in the prices of basic commodities, Escudero argued that it is the Department of Trade and Industry’s responsibility to address such issues. He believes that the bill is justified because there is a lack of support for workers, with everyone seemingly favoring businesses.
On February 19, the Senate approved SB 2534 on its third and final reading. The bill seeks to provide a P100 daily minimum wage increase for approximately 4.2 million employees in the private sector. Escudero hopes that the House of Representatives will pass its own version of the legislation, ensuring that minimum wage earners in the private sector finally receive their long-awaited salary adjustment.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri expressed gratitude to his fellow senators for responding to the needs of low-income workers. He acknowledged that their current salaries are insufficient to cover daily expenses, let alone afford basic necessities like rice. Zubiri appealed to the House of Representatives to take action on the wage increase bill and heed the call of the labor sector for a salary hike.
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda clarified that microenterprises are exempted from the implementation of the proposed P100 daily minimum wage hike under Republic Act (RA) 9178, or the “Barangay Micro Business Enterprises” (BMBE) law, and RA 6727, or the “Wage Rationalization Act.”
Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor and sponsor of SB 2534, assured the public that the Senate is responsive to the needs of Filipinos, especially considering the rising prices of basic commodities. He highlighted that the last legislated wage hike was implemented in 1989 and emphasized that this is just the beginning, with a commitment to continue advocating for further improvements.
In the House of Representatives, the Committee on Labor and Employment has scheduled a meeting on February 28 to discuss two proposed measures for a legislated wage hike for private sector workers. House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe stated that the House leadership is considering proposals for P150 and P350 in daily minimum wage hikes. Dalipe emphasized the urgency of finding substantial solutions to alleviate the financial burdens faced by workers and highlighted the House’s dedication to taking timely and impactful legislative action.
While any increase in the minimum wage is a step in the right direction, it is essential to ensure that legislative actions genuinely make a meaningful difference in the lives of workers. This consideration is particularly important when taking into account the significant challenges faced by the business sector, especially micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
In conclusion, the proposed Senate Bill 2534 aims to address the long-delayed salary adjustment for minimum wage earners in the private sector. The bill has received support from various senators and is expected to be considered by the House of Representatives. The discussions surrounding the wage increase highlight the commitment of both chambers of Congress to improving the financial well-being of workers while also considering the challenges faced by businesses.
Source: The Manila Times
