Marcos orders review of minimum wage rates

There was no order for a wage increase, but President Marcos yesterday directed regional wage boards to review the pay rates in their respective areas and urged Congress to pass a number of measures, which did not include wage hike bills.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

"I call on the National Wages and Productivity Commission to review its rules to ensure that the boards are able to maintain a regular and predictable schedule of wage review, issuance and effectivity to reduce uncertainty and enhance fairness for all stakeholders," Marcos said during the celebration of the 122nd Labor Day at Malacañang.

"As President, I call on the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards to initiate a timely review of the minimum wage rates in their respective regions, with due consideration to the impact of inflation, among others, within 60 days prior to the anniversary of their latest wage order," the President added.

Marcos also reaffirmed the government's commitment to champion the rights of Filipino workers, whom he called "beacons of hope... important pillars of our country's foundation" and "the face of the new Philippines." He went on to enumerate existing efforts to uplift the welfare of workers, including the assistance and livelihood benefits to displaced workers; the Kadiwa centers that buy and sell basic goods at lower prices; affordable housing loan program and the one-year extension of the employment contract of service and job order personnel in government.

Marcos' Labor Day address was not limited to ongoing initiatives as it also touched on directives and actions seen to benefit workers, including a possible adjustment of minimum wage rates.

Wage boards issue one wage order per year, unless they declare supervening conditions that warrant a review of the pay rates.

The President has called for a review of workers' pay rates as some lawmakers are pushing for bills increasing the daily minimum wage to mitigate the impact of rising prices of goods and to reduce poverty incidence.

Business groups are opposed to a legislated wage hike, saying it would lead to higher inflation and hurt small businesses.