TUCP: Additional P10 of the Thirty Peso Wage Increase for Metro Workers in Effect Nov. 1

By ALU-TUCP
October 30, 2012

QUEZON CITY  –  The remaining ten pesos of the 30-peso wage increase for Metro Manila workers ordered in June 3, 2012 will take effect on November 1, Thursday.

Thus the minimum wage for metro workers would be 456 pesos for non-agricultural workers while 419 pesos for agricultural workers, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) president Democrito Mendoza reminded the employers and management yesterday.

The increase was granted following the wage increase petition of P90 of Mendoza for 700,000 workers in Metro Manila on March 16, more than a month before the one-year prescribed period for filing of new wage increase took effect. The petition cited as basis for an increase the high prices of basic foods, increase in cost of services, tuition fees and liquefied petroleum gas.

The wage order also increases to 419 pesos the minimum wage for those Metro Manila workers working in private hospitals with bed capacity of 100 or less, retail/service establishments employing 15 workers or less, manufacturing establishments regularly employing less than 10 workers.

The National Capital Region of the National Wages and Productivity Board turned down the petition saying there is no supervening condition that would warrant the issuance of a new wage order. However, the wage board conducted a series of public hearing in Taguig, Manila and Quezon Cities in determining the exact amount to be increased once the 1-year prescribed period expired on second week of May 2012.

“Part of the wage order 17 implemented last June, this 10-peso increase is welcome news for minimum wage earners. The increase is in effect despite of separate appeal for reconsideration filed by Atty. Mendoza and by the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines,” said Alan Tanjusay, TUCP advocacy officer.

“A Filipino family of 6 needs at least 993 pesos every day to live decent lives. We still have a long way to go,” he added.