Minimum Wage Hike Bills Still Have Time for Reconciliation
House Assistant Minority Leader Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas emphasized that there is still enough time for congressmen and senators to reconcile the differing minimum wage hike bills before the 19th Congress ends. She believes this window allows the measure a real chance of becoming law under President Marcos.
In a brief interview with reporters, Brosas confirmed her participation in the House delegation attending Bicameral Conference Committee hearings on the proposed minimum wage hikes. These bills aim to raise pay for private sector workers. This came less than a day after the House approved its version of the bill, which proposed a P200 increase. Meanwhile, the Senate had previously passed a version calling for a P100 hike.
“Kung sa tanong na may time pa ba para dito na yung disagreeing provisions ng House Bill (HB) No.11376 at Senate Bill (SB) No.2534, actually may time pa kasi mayroon pa tayong session hanggang next week,” Brosas said. (As for whether there is still time to resolve the differing provisions of HB No. 11376 and SB No. 2534, there is still time because we still have sessions until next week.)
The last meeting day of the 19th Congress is June 11, Wednesday. After that, all pending bills that have not become law will return to the starting point.
Hope for Unity in Minimum Wage Hike Bills
“So we still have sessions and pwede pa talagang pag-usapan yung mga disagreeing provisions at magkaisa kung ano talaga yung isusulong. Kapagka nagkaisa po, mabilis na lang po yun eh,” Brosas added optimistically. (We still have sessions and can still discuss the disagreeing provisions and unite on what to push forward. Once there’s unity, progress will be swift.)
“Ang mahalaga po kasi makarating sa Pangulo yun, nang sa gayon, maisabatas siya,” she noted. (What’s important is that it reaches the President so it can be signed into law.)
“Kung mapunta sa sala niya, eh di siya na ang mag-decide. At least ngayon mayroon tayong hope, mayroon tayong pag-asa na ilaban ito,” Brosas added. (If it reaches his desk, then it’s up to him to decide. At least now, we have hope and a chance to fight for this.)
The main challenge in the bicameral talks remains the final wage increase amount. Advocates argue for a higher hike to better help workers, while opponents stress the financial burden on employers.
Finding Common Ground on Wage Increase
Brosas, part of the militant Makabayan bloc, expressed willingness to cooperate in agreeing on a final figure between the House and Senate members.
“Tayo naman po, hindi naman po tayo matigas dun sa ano eh. Kumbaga, pagkaisahan natin at pag-usapan nating mabuti kung ano yung nararapat na isulong natin,” she said. (We are not rigid about it. Rather, let’s unite and carefully discuss what should be pushed forward.)
“Pero syempre titindigan natin kung ano yung mga pagkakaisahan na yun. Kasi ang gusto natin, ultimately, makinabang ang manggagawa, di ba? So yung amount, pag-usapan natin doon, walang problema,” Brosas added. (Of course, we will stand by what is agreed upon because ultimately, we want the workers to benefit. As for the amount, we can discuss that with no problem.)
When asked if she would consider a P150 wage hike as a compromise, she replied, “Oo pwede din yun as long as mapagkaisahan ng Senate at Congress.” (Yes, that’s possible as long as the Senate and Congress agree.)
Brosas noted that the bicameral committee has yet to schedule another meeting. Meanwhile, the Makabayan bloc continues to push for a living wage of P1,200 monthly in the Philippines.
For more news and updates on minimum wage hike bills, visit Filipinokami.com.