Politics · Philippines Bureau
Labor groups demand seat at table for P60 wage increase talks
Worker advocates are pushing for inclusion in National Wages and Productivity Commission discussions on the proposed P60 wage hike under the latest wage order, citing concerns about their exclusion from policy deliberations.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Labor coalitions protested their exclusion from an upcoming National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) meeting focused on Wage Order No. 28, which proposes a P60 wage increase for workers across the country.
The National Wage Coalition and allied labor groups contended that workers' voices must be heard directly during policy discussions affecting their livelihoods. The groups emphasized that meaningful labor participation is essential for addressing worker concerns and ensuring that wage-setting processes reflect the actual needs of the workforce.
Kamanggagawa Partylist Rep. Elijah "Eli" San Fernando joined the protesters in calling for worker representation at the NWPC deliberations. Labor advocates have long argued that excluding workers from wage-setting discussions undermines the legitimacy of policy outcomes and overlooks critical perspectives on cost-of-living concerns and economic sustainability.
The push for greater labor inclusion comes as the NWPC weighs the P60 wage increase proposal. The commission's decisions on wage orders significantly impact millions of Filipino workers across various sectors and regions, making stakeholder participation a key concern for policy advocates.