MANILA, Philippines – Several government unions sought to increase the national minimum wage of workers in the government.

These labor unions proposed a P33,000 minimum wage for government personnel, due to the continuing increase in prices of goods and commodities.

Gov’t unions urge Marcos to raise minimum wage to P33,000

Santiago Dasmariñas Jr., national president of Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Tuesday to make adjustments to the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) and the Compensation and Position Classification System (CPCS). SSL is for the standardized salary increase of those in the public sector, while CPCS is for those working in government and government-owned and controlled companies.

According to Dasmariñas, the proposed P33,000 is only fair and was computed based on the daily expenses and family living wage standards.

The groups’ findings revealed that a family of 5 members needed around P1,119 a day to live in Metro Manila.

Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) President Annie Geron explained that they have long been enduring rising prices and it’s now high time to make changes to their wages as workers.

She said, “Sinasabi maghigpit ng sinturon, ang totoo niyan matagal nang namamaluktot sa kumot wala nang kakapitang ang sinturon kahit na anong higpit mo. Malalaglag na yung pantalon mo dahil wala nang kinakapitan.”

Currently, government workers’ minimum wage is P12,517 per month.

Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Ferdinand Gaite suggested that it’s important to give the biggest chunk of salary increase to those receiving minimum wage. He criticized the SSL where the officials with the biggest salary get the highest increase.

“Importante ‘yung pinakamababa ang may pinakamalaking increase. Di tulad ng mga nakaraang SSL. Ang pinakamataas na increase ay yung matataas na officials,” he said.

Gaite said it’s impossible to survive on the current P12,000 minimum wage nowadays.

Meanwhile, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) confirmed they are studying the last tranche of SSL next year.

“There’s the last tranche of SSL next year. We have likewise provided a budget under the GCG to review the compensation of government employees for a possible next round of salary increase,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.

— Sally, The Summit Express