A Catholic Church official expressed support for calls of various labor groups in the country for a wage increase to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on workers.
“Whatever is fair and just ought to be given to our workers,” said Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Permanent Committee on Public Affairs of the bishops’ conference.
The priest told Radio Veritas 846 in an interview that workers “deserve to be rewarded for their toils and services.”
“They should be accorded with something that befits their dignity as human beings who work for their daily survival,” said Father Secillano.
Several labor groups have called on the government to address the rising unemployment rate and to increase the country’s minimum wage.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the unemployment rate in the country rose to 8.9 percent—equivalent to 4.25 million Filipinos—in September 2021, the highest since January.
The 8.9 percent unemployment rate was an increase from the 8.1 percent—or 3.88 million unemployed Filipinos—recorded in August.
