Labor condemns failure of minimum wage bill despite willingness to compromise on P100 hike

LABOR GROUPS said on Thursday they were willing to compromise on a P100 legislated wage hike just before Congress adjourned.

- By Adrian H. Halili Reporter

The P100 nationwide wage hike had been the Senate’s position as the two chambers hashed out their versions of the bill in bicameral conference committee, but the two chambers failed to arrive at a compromise before time ran out.

Asked about how labor plans to proceed in the next Congress, Federation of Free Workers President Jose G. Matula said via Viber: “There will be an assessment with members of the National Wage Coalition (NWC).”

On Wednesday, Congress adjourned without approving the bicameral conference committee report on the minimum wage hike, with the two sides far apart on a final number.

At the last minute, the NWC had called on the House, which backs a P200 wage hike, to adopt the Senate’s version of the bill.