Senators Lauded Workers and Calls for A Wage Hike in the Philippines

As the world celebrates Labor day last Sunday, May 1, senators in the Philippines lauded workers for their hard work and commitment to serving and contributing to the economy.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian encouraged everyone to appreciate and remember the sacrifices of workers whom he labeled as the bearers of the country’s development while Senator Nancy Binay prays that the workers remain committed in serving the public as the COVID-19 continues.

Binay cited in a statement, “Your tireless perseverance and sacrifice ensure the health, food, safety, and well-being of millions of Filipinos who depend on you.”

Furthermore, Gatchalian pledged to pursue measures institutionalizing tax cuts for work-from-home (WFH) employees, additional benefits for construction workers, and condoning penalties for unpaid Social Security System (SSS) contributions of household employers.

Senator Risa Hontiveros also joined Binay in calling for the wage increase, she stated that the process of reviewing petitions to raise regional minimum wage rates should move faster.

Hontiveros noted in a separate statement, “What’s taking so long? Any delay in the decisioning minimum wage might cause hunger or hopelessness for workers that they can pay for their expenses.”

In addition, Hontiveros mentioned that the take-home of minimum wage workers has been overtaken by the fast-rising cost of food, transportation, and public utilities over the past three years.

Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development chair, Senator Joel Villanueva, announced on his Facebook page that there will be at least 142,000 jobs offered in 26 job fair sites in different parts of the country.

Villanueva expressed his gratitude to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Public Employment Service Offices (PESO), and a total of 958 employers who will offer local and international jobs for Filipinos.