P250 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Proposed in Senate
MANILA, Philippines — Senators have introduced a bold proposal for a P250 across-the-board increase in the daily minimum wage for private sector workers. This significant wage hike is among the priority measures filed by Sen. JV Ejercito in the 20th Congress, aiming to improve the livelihood of Filipino workers nationwide.
The proposed P250 daily minimum wage increase surpasses previous efforts, including the Senate’s earlier endorsement of a P100 raise and the House of Representatives’ push for a P200 increase during the 19th Congress. Unfortunately, the 19th Congress adjourned on June 30 without passing the wage hike bill, leaving workers’ salaries stagnant despite rising living costs.
Current Wage Increases Still Insufficient
While the recent P50 wage increase approved by the regional wage board for workers in the National Capital Region is a positive step, Sen. Ejercito emphasized that it still falls short of meeting workers’ essential needs. “It cannot cover their expenses for rent, electricity, transportation, health care, education for their children and perhaps, most importantly, food,” he said in the explanatory note attached to his bill.
Ejercito also pointed out how escalating fuel prices, fueled by conflicts in oil-producing countries, have triggered a domino effect on the prices of basic commodities. This results in diminished purchasing power for workers, effectively asking them to do more for less.
“The bill aims to bridge the gap between the decreasing value of take-home pay and the rising cost of living,” the senator added. “They are not handed out something that they do not deserve or not worthy of. There is no amount of money that can equal the dignity of a Filipino worker.”
Other Senate Proposals for Living Wage
In addition to Ejercito’s bill, Sen. Risa Hontiveros has introduced a separate proposal for a P200 daily minimum wage increase. Meanwhile, Senators Joel Villanueva and Loren Legarda have also filed bills titled the Living Wage Act.
Legarda’s measure seeks to guarantee fair and decent wages for all Filipino workers, ensuring their salaries reflect their basic needs. Villanueva emphasized that the goal is not just to raise wages but to ensure workers can live a decent life. “The standard should not simply be to raise wages, but to ensure that our workers can live a decent life,” he said in a recent interview.
“That’s why we are pushing for this—because we see it as a just and adequate standard that our wage boards should adopt to ensure a decent life for our workers,” Villanueva explained.
As inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these legislative efforts highlight the urgency of addressing workers’ financial struggles. Filipino workers deserve wages that reflect their true needs and uphold their dignity.
For more news and updates on minimum wage increases, visit Filipinokami.com.