Tulfo: P60 wage hike acceptable, but P85 push should continue

MANILA, Philippines — Labor officials should pursue in court the previous wage order of P85 for Metro Manila workers, according to Sen. Raffy Tulfo. Noting that the approved wage hike of P60 is much lower, Tulfo stressed that workers have the right to a salary increase amid rising prices of goods. “While the wage increase must be implemented properly, it should not stop there,” Tulfo said, urging the Department of Labor and Employment to not disregard the previous wage order. Following a petition filed by construction firms, a Pasig court had issued a temporary restraining order against the wage order that would provide a minimum wage increase of P85. Tulfo is seeking his colleagues’ support for the passage of Senate Bill 2372, which would prohibit lower courts from halting a wage hike.