TUCP Pushes P200 Legislated Wage Hike

To address poverty, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) is calling for national unity to push for the immediate passage of the P200 legislated wage hike.

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"Elections are supposed to offer solutions on issues confronting marginalized sectors of our society, particularly poverty and ENDO (end of contract) work schemes that push workers to a 'kapit sa patalim' (clutching a knife blade) situation where they are left scraping the bottom of the barrel for subsistence survival," the TUCP said.

"Hence, TUCP calls on President Marcos, as the father of the nation, to rise above current political distractions and unfurl a Bagong Pilipinas policy of caring for its workers by certifying the P200 legislated wage hike as an urgent priority measure and ensure its swift passage into law before the closing of the 19th Congress," the labor center said.

Employers have warned that a legislated wage hike across the board can lead to layoffs and shutdown of businesses, noting that over 90 percent of enterprises in the country are micro and small.

The employers point out that the law leaves wage-fixing to regional tripartite boards, and this should be followed.

The TUCP party-list is the principal author of the P200 legislated increase in the daily minimum wage, approved by the House of Representatives on second reading, and set for third and final reading this June.