Labor groups demand wage increases as inflation surges to 7.8%

MANILA — Two major labor organizations have intensified calls for wage increases and enhanced government intervention as inflation pressures mount on Filipino workers and families.

Research group IBON Foundation and labor federation Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) issued separate statements Thursday highlighting concerns that rapidly rising prices are outpacing workers' income growth. October's inflation rate of 7.8% reflects accelerating cost pressures on essential goods and services, they said.

The groups argued that current wage levels are insufficient to keep pace with inflation, leaving workers unable to maintain their standard of living. They emphasized that without decisive government action on minimum wage policy, real wages will continue to decline as price pressures persist.

Both organizations urged policymakers to prioritize wage adjustments and implement measures to address affordability concerns among low-income households. The advocacy reflects broader concerns about inflation's impact on purchasing power across the Philippines as consumer prices climb faster than wage growth.