THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) yesterday filed a petition before the CARAGA – Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB 13) seeking for a ₱425 increase to the existing P320 daily minimum wage of workers in Region 13.
In the petition, the TUCP sought to hike the minimum daily wage in the region to P745.
Region 13 covers Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao Del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Island including Butuan, Bayugan, Bislig, Cabadbaran, Surigao City and Tandag.
TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said the last time the minimum wage in the region increased was in 2019, when the Wage Board granted a mere P15 hike.
“We wanted to expedite a wage increase order because the workers desperately needs a substantial wage increase amid soaring cost of living,” Mendoza said.
He said the wages are no longer able to cope with the current cost of living.
“The current wages have been and are now setting the stage for massive malnutrition and hunger,” Mendoza said.According to the TUCP, with the high prices of food and other essential items, the measly income of workers can only accord them and their families with nutritionally-deficient survival meals.
“We are calling on the government and the business sector for solidarity. Our workers need to have living wages so that they will not only survive to continue working, but also to have a life of dignity. Our workers and their families have been suffering and enduring existential threats and insecurities for the longest time- hunger, malnutrition, deprivation, and scarcity. Hindi lang gobyerno at mga negosyante ang may karapatang mabuhay,” Mendoza said.
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