THE Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (Nagkaisa) yesterday called on President Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent the legislated wage hike measure pending in Congress to ensure its immediate passage.
In a statement, Nagkaisa Chairman Sonny Matula said they are hoping the P150 across-the-board wage hike bill will be given certification due to the urgency of the situation of workers and their families.
“The entire labor movement in the country has come together to push for a significant wage increase demand as the working class, both in the private and public sector, formal and informal, were all hit by the worsening cost of living crisis,” said Matula.
“A presidential weight through certification is needed for an across-the-board wage increase measure in Congress,” he added.
Matula said a certification from Marcos has been proven to be effective as seen in the highly controversial Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill.
“That’s how the Maharlika Investment Fund bill hurdled the Lower House, however controversial the proposal was,” he noted.
He said the legislated wage hike bill deserves far more attention from lawmakers than the MIF.
“A wage increase is more urgent as it impacts on the daily survival not only of individuals but of entire families,” said Matula.
Earlier, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri filed Senate Bill (SB) 2002, which seeks to raise wages in the private sector in all regions by P150.
The Senate hearing on the measures seeking to rationalize the country’s minimum wage rates is set today, Wednesday.
