Workers under a Philippine labor alliance staged a protest outside the National Capital Region Wage Board in Pasay City on May 22, demanding an emergency wage increase as inflation and rising fuel prices deepen the cost-of-living crisis for low-income families.
Members of the Unity of Workers for Wage Increase (UWIN), a coalition of unions and labor federations, urged the wage board to approve a substantial salary increase toward a PHP1,200 family living wage.
The group said minimum wage earners are struggling to cope with rising prices of food, transportation, utilities, healthcare, and education amid economic pressures linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
“Halos mabali na ang likod ng mga manggagawa sa pagpasan sa krisis dulot ng gera. Nadudurog na kami sa bigat ng presyo ng mga bilihin. Nagugutom ang aming mga pamilya habang nilalamon ng implasyon ang kakarampot naming sahod,” said Allan Labahata, UWIN spokesperson and president of Samahang Manggagawa sa Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. (SMPSACC-NAFLU-KMU).
The protest followed the filing of a wage hike petition by unions under the alliance on April 27. The petition asked the NCR Wage Board to grant an increase outside the regular wage-setting cycle, arguing that the inflationary impact of rising oil prices and the conflict in the Middle East constitutes a “supervening event” requiring urgent intervention.
UWIN said current wage levels in Metro Manila are no longer enough to provide workers and their families with a decent standard of living.
“Hindi na kayang maghintay ng mga manggagawa. Habang patuloy na nagpapatumpik-tumpik ang Regional Wage Board, nasasadlak kami at ang aming mga pamilya sa mas matinding gutom at kahirapan. Ipasa na dapat ngayon ang dagdag-sahod tungong PHP1200 living wage!” Labahata said.
The alliance said it would continue mobilizations until authorities act on their demand for higher wages and meaningful relief for Filipino workers struggling with rising living costs.
“Mga kapwa manggagawa, karapatan natin ang nakabubuhay na sahod. Panghawakan natin ito, at sama-samang ipaglaban sa lahat ng pamamaraan. Tuluy-tuloy lang tayong mangalampag at mag-ingay hanggang makamtan natin ang nararapat,” Labahata said.
