PARTY-LIST legislators have vowed to push for the enactment into law in the next Congress of a bill that will provide for a P125.00 across the board increase in the salary rates of employees and workers in the private sector.
Reps. Rafael Mariano (Anakpawis Party List), Teodoro Casiño and Neri Javier Colmenares (Bayan Muna Party List), were among the legislators who filed House Bill 375 during the 15th Congress. It was reported out by the House sub-committee on Labor and Employment and is now with the Committee on Labor and Employment.
Casiño said the bill aims to partially restore the lost purchasing power in real value of the workers’ wages and close the gap between the income of minimum wage earners and the daily-cost-of-living.
The bill provides that all employees in the private sector, whether agricultural or non-agricultural, shall receive an across-the-board wage increase of P125.00 a day.
Any person or entity violating this act shall be punished by the fine of P25,000.00 to P100,000.00 or imprisonment of two to four years. In addition, the employer concerned shall pay an amount equivalent to twice the unpaid benefits owing to employees.
The bill further provides that no wage increase shall be credited as compliance with the law unless expressly provided under a valid collective bargaining agreement provided that such wage increase was granted in anticipation of the legislated across-the-board wage increase under this act.
Casiño said the Constitution mandates the government to provide the minimum wage to enable the worker to maintain the basic standards of living necessary for the health, efficiency and general well being of his or her family.
“Through all the supposed achievements and success of the national government in improving the economy, however, none of the benefits trickled down to the workers,” Casiño explained.
“For the past 11 years, workers have been demanding a substantial nationwide wage increase. Beyond being a measure that will give immediate economic relief, a substantial wage increase is a matter of social justice,” Casiño said.
Other legislators pushing for the enactment into law of this measure are Reps. Luzviminda Ilagan and Emmi de Jesus of Gabriela Party List, Raymond Palatino of Kabataan Party List, and Antonio Tinio of ACT Teacher Party List.