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A P60 increase for the minimum wage in Metro Manila has been approved by the National Capital Region (NCR) wage board, but lawmakers raised concern over what it could imply for the suspended wage hike mandated by Wage Order 27.
During the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) budget hearing at the House of Representatives, Trade Union Congress Party (TUCP) Party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza asked Secretary Francis Tolentino to confirm whether there was another wage hike order on top of the one pending in the Pasig City court under Wage Order 27.
Tolentino replied by saying that the wage boards had to find a way to meet the needs of the workers within the year.
The matter was later clarified by DOLE NCR Regional Director Roy Buenafe.
“The wage board NCR last night has already issued Wage Order 28…It’s an increase of P60,” Buenafe said.
“Wage Order 27, Mr Chair, is with the court and we believe in the Wage Board that it has not attained its full effectivity, your honor,” he added.
Mendoza criticized the decision, saying that it could complicate matters for Wage Order 27. Apart from lowering the intended P85 to P60 per day, this also threatens the possibility of backpay since Wage Order 27 was supposed to be implemented in July.
“If you issue Wage Order 28, hindi pa tapos yung 27, ako, I’ll be inclined to join Mr. Eli here to defer… let’s move forward, let’s talk on how we are going to find ways to find that solution, Mr Secretary, but issuing another Wage Order 28 is a complete no-no. Hindi pwede,” said Mendoza.
Kamanggagawa Partylist Rep. Eli San Fernando earlier had a heated debate with Tolentino over the DOLE’s decision not to implement the P85 wage hike despite the petitioners’ failure to post a bond.
Buenafe explained that the new P60 increase is merely the first tranche of the intended P85 increase. Tolentino said that the following P25 is for next year.
“The decision of the wage board in coming up with the P60 increase … we believe it is the best way we can deliver immediately what has been awaited by the workers, which is the first tranche of Order 27,” Buenafe said.
Wage Order 28 is with the National Wages and Productivity Commission, and once it is approved, it could be implemented by September 26 or 27. —LDF, GMA News
