Employers urged to support P100 wage hike

The Manila Times

Employers urged to support P100 wage hike   Labor leader  Sonny Matula calls on employers in the private sector to support the legislation of a P100 daily wage increase for economic and social justice. He added that increasing the purchasing power of the working class would develop the economy and improve the lives of Filipinos.   Video and Interview by Ezrah Raya  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe   Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net     Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook   Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram   Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter   DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion     Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital     Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify   Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts   Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic   Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer   Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcher  Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein    #themanilatimes   #reeltimes #exclusiveinterview  #salaryincrease

Transcript

00:00 I'm Ezra Araya and this is the Manila Times.

00:03 The Senate has approved this week the 100 peso daily wage hike bill.

00:09 While this may be a win for minimum wage workers, Senate Bill 2534 faced strong opposition from

00:15 Employers Group and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce, warning that the wage hike might

00:20 actually trigger an increase in the prices of basic goods and services, as it would compel

00:26 companies to pass on the additional costs and as well as provoke layoffs.

00:31 100 pesos daily wage increase would mean an estimated 2,000 pesos additional to employees'

00:38 monthly salaries nationwide, both in non-agricultural and agricultural sectors.

00:45 Before it becomes law, it requires approval from both the Senate and the lower house,

00:49 as well as the President's signature.

00:52 Labor groups are now urging the House of Representatives to pass a similar bill quickly for its immediate

00:58 implementation.

01:00 Here with us is the Federation of Free Workers President, Atty.

01:04 Sonny Matula.

01:05 Welcome to the Manila Times, sir.

01:06 Now sir, 100 pesos wage increase is a big development compared to last year's 40 pesos

01:13 wage increase implemented in NCR and in different regions by the regional government.

01:20 Of course, the House already has two bills pertaining to wage increase, which is 7871,

01:26 which is 100 pesos wage increase, as well as the Makabayan blocks, 750 pesos across

01:31 the board daily wage increase.

01:34 First of all, are we happy with the 100 peso daily wage hike?

01:39 Should we settle for this or are you aiming for something higher?

01:44 Actually, when we asked our members about their reaction, I have a general assembly

01:51 with our union in Charter Link in Playa.

01:54 They are happy to take note that the Senate had already passed the 100 pesos wage increase

02:03 nationwide.

02:04 It's a good development.

02:08 Although it is not enough to satisfy the needs of our workers, it is beneficial.

02:15 We are urging the House of Representatives to take the cajole now and pass the 150 or

02:25 it can be merged with the 750 wage proposal in the House of Representatives.

02:31 I hope this will be released soon.

02:35 It seems like it's been a while since there's a legislation for wage increase nationwide.

02:45 You said something about you want it to be higher.

02:48 So this would require, of course, before it becomes a law, it should be approved by the

02:54 upper house as well.

02:56 If we aim for something higher for the wage increasers, for all the minimum wage workers,

03:01 would it take longer for it to be implemented?

03:07 It will take longer.

03:08 So we asked the House of Representatives to consider the proposal of Congressman Raymond

03:17 Mendoza of DOCP.

03:19 His proposal is about 150 pesos.

03:25 If the House Labor Committee can consider that in the discussion, including of course

03:33 the proposal of the Makabayan block of 750 pesos, we think it would speed up the run

03:41 of the House.

03:42 For us, the 150 pesos, we can accept that as an initial proposal so that the legislative

03:53 committee can consider it as a meal for the House of Representatives.

03:56 So we're happy with the 100 pesos, but if it becomes 150 pesos, it would be better to

04:01 run.

04:02 I think our employers can do that.

04:08 We don't want the 100 pesos that the Senate issued to be catastrophic.

04:18 The Senate studied it well and I think the Senate's proposal is lower than what happened

04:25 in 1989.

04:26 If you can still remember, in 1989, there was a 25 pesos wage increase.

04:32 But during that time, the minimum wage nationwide was 64 pesos.

04:38 So plus 25 pesos, our national minimum wage became 89 pesos during that time.

04:46 So it was 40 percent or 39 point something percent wage increase.

04:52 So a 40 percent compared with the 100 pesos now, it's only 16 percent of the 610 wages

05:02 in Metro Manila.

05:03 That's why I think the 16 percent and 40 percent is too far.

05:09 During that time, there were still quadrata.

05:12 But our economy didn't collapse.

05:15 Our economy grew and our GNP reached 5.8 percent during that time.

05:24 So our growth declined during the ASEAN crisis.

05:30 I think the increase in wages, 40 percent in 1989, compared to 16 percent in 2024, I think our employers and economists are just speculating.

05:49 Sir they also said, the ICO and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce, that the companies will pass the added cost of labor

06:00 to the goods and services they sell.

06:03 So they will increase it.

06:05 Our conversation with our employers and capitalists is not to be taken lightly.

06:10 You know, the tax reforms of our government have already earned money and our employers have already saved.

06:22 The creator, from 33 percent to 25 percent in big companies.

06:28 Our micro-small enterprises, from 33 to 20 percent.

06:35 So they already have 13 percent savings.

06:39 So at least they have savings and they should distribute their savings to their employees from the incentives given by our government.

06:52 I think Senator Zuberi is right that they should be careful in their search for gain.

07:04 Their search for gain. That's why I think moderate the greed of our capitalists.

07:13 It's in their hands now sir. I understand the legislation.

07:20 We think the additional cost to the workers will help because it's a financial stimulus to our economy because the workers

07:33 who earn and have purchasing power, they can buy the products of our farmers, fishermen and manufacturers of our companies.

07:43 They don't bring it to Singapore or Thailand or other countries.

07:51 For us, can our capitalists make a small sacrifice and not bring it to other countries for vacation?

08:02 The 10 people who can be increased, so every day, it's about P1,000. I think that will impact their expenses, about 7 percent.

08:14 But they have already made a 13 percent gain, that's 8 percent in Create.

08:21 I think they should share their blessings so that this increase in salary is a blessing to the workers.

08:30 Sir I agree. I understand the wage increase legislation. It will affect regular employees, regular workers.

08:39 So what about the contractual workers? Will this affect them as well?

08:46 Contractual workers should be given. You know Isra, big companies are engaging in manpower agency for minimum wage, contractual.

09:00 They need high salary because they are the lowest and the beneficiaries are lacking.

09:08 So the contractual workers should be given.

09:14 As of now, the law is that they should be given because the minimum wage is floor wage for all workers.

09:23 Our contractual workers should be given. Sir, as a labor leader, I know you said some things earlier.

09:32 What else is your message for the other employers and other big companies who are negating the wage increase legislation?

09:39 Our call is that the age of people power revolution is 38 years and our political democracy is changing.

09:51 But our economic democracy is not happening. This is the time, the legislative wage increase is a social justice instrument

10:03 so we can improve the lives of workers, not only the workers, but their children who will be the future of our country.

10:15 If they are not fed properly because the wages of the workers are low, our children will not be healthy and this will affect the future of our labor force.

10:26 We want our labor force to be healthy and of course, it should be very sharp and it will help for the future of our country.

10:38 The increase of the minimum wage of P100 will help for the health of our youth.

10:46 So let's not oppose this and our future is at stake here.

10:58 Very well said sir. For economic and social justice. Advance a happy people power anniversary.

11:05 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Israel.

11:08 Thank you very much Federation of Free Workers President, Atty. Sunny Matula. Thank you.

11:15 Thank you.

11:17 Thank you.

11:24 Thank you.

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Transcript

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