Labor groups demand the lifting of the court order halting the implementation of the P85 per day wage hike. Darylle Sarmiento, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Labor groups marched to the main office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Intramuros, Manila, on Friday, to protest a court order halting the P85 per day wage hike.
The approved P85 wage increase was set to be implemented in two tranches. The first tranche, amounting to P60, was supposed to take effect on July 25, 2026, while the second tranche is scheduled for January 20, 2027.
The groups argued that the additional P60 from the first tranche would provide significant relief to ordinary employees.
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“Ang P60 ay isang kilong bigas araw-araw na kakainin na lang ng ating mga anak, inagaw pa,” said Judy Ann Miranda, Secretary General, Partido Manggagawa.
“Very clear sa ating Constitution—dapat magkaroon kaming mga manggagawang Pilipino, magkaroon ng sufficient na hati sa nililikha naming profit,” said Jerome Adonis, Chairperson, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).
“Walang nang doubt dito eh, maliwanag inaprubahan na. So, ngayon bakit ayaw ibigay?” said Warren Bartolome, Union President, Buklurang Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP).
They called for the immediate lifting of the TRO and renewed their demand for a nationwide minimum wage of P1,200 per day, which they described as a "living wage."
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Meanwhile, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) said the proposed 1,200 nationwide minimum wage, would place a significant burden on small business owners.