TUCP Seeks to Block Petition Against P85 NCR Wage Hike

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has filed an urgent motion to intervene at the Navotas Regional Trial Court (RTC) to junk a new petition seeking to block the P85 wage hike in the National Capital Region (NCR). The petition to block the wage hike was filed by the Alliance of Philippine Fishing Federation Inc. (APFFI). In a Balitanghali report, TUCP spokesperson Carlos Miguel Oñate said that they will not allow the petition to deny workers a long overdue increase. In a Facebook post, TUCP warned that the petition from APFFI might inspire other copycats, which may delay the implementation of the wage hike. Oñate also called the new petition premature, especially since there is still a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the wage hike in place. Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc. had sought the TRO from a Pasig court, saying that the increased wage hike would result in more layoffs. “The TUCP together with the Philippine labor movement will continue to defend NCR Wage Order No. 27 in every courtroom necessary and ensure that the voices of Filipino workers and their families are heard wherever decisions affecting their lives and livelihoods are made,” the group said. Meanwhile, NAGKAISA labor coalition also tried to file an urgent motion for leave to intervene against the APFFI’s petition at the Navotas court. In a report from Super Radyo dzBB's Glen Juego, the various labor groups that comprised the NAGKAISA coalition rallied in front of the Navotas City Hall of Justice to file their motion. Grupo ng mga manggagawa, naghain ng mosyon sa Navotas Regional Trial Court bilang pagtutol sa Temporary Restraining Order ng Pasig Regional Trial Court kaugnay sa taas-sweldo ng mga minimum wage earner sa Metro Manila. | via @glenjuego pic.twitter.com/fSCzN5P6LR However, government work was suspended due to Tropical Depression Maymay and the southwest monsoon, so no one received their petition. The coalition remained resolute in their filing, despite the foul weather. “This case is not merely about legal procedure. It is about protecting the wages and livelihoods of millions of workers whose voices deserve to be heard before any court decides their fate,” Atty. Sonny G. Matula said in a statement. —AOL, GMA News