Workers call for wage hike before 19th Congress ends

Workers from different labor organizations are marching to Congress today to press for the immediate passage of the pending measure granting a P200 legislated across-the-board pay hike.

- By MAYEN JAYMALIN

"With only six session days left this June, this is the moment of truth for the 19th Congress," Federation of Free Workers (FFW) president Sonny Matula said.

"We urge Speaker Martin Romualdez and our lawmakers: be the House of the People — pass the P200 wage hike now," Matula said, noting that the Senate has already passed its version of the legislated wage increase February last year.

According to Matula, the historic significance of the P200 wage hike cannot be overstated, for it will be the first legislated nationwide wage increase since 1989. He said that over five million minimum wage earners nationwide and their families expect the "long-overdue legislation" to lift them from poverty wages.

If the 19th Congress fails to pass it this June, Matula said the process will reset and start from step one under the 20th Congress.