Various groups gathered to call on the Aquino administration to increase the minimum wage of teachers, government employees and workers in the private sector. During the May 1 Labor Day commemoration at the Liwasang Bonifacio, leaders of these groups assailed President Noynoy Aquino’s lack of political will to fight for a genuine wage hike and to control the upsurge of prices of commodity goods.
Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) National President Elmer Labog said that the masses have been perennially burdened by the spate of price increases of petroleum products. Labog added that it is a disservice to the people for a president to not be able to control the surge in prices.
Meanwhile, ACT Teachers Partylist pushed for the passage of House Bill 2142: An Act Upgrading the Minimum Salary Grade of Public School Teachers from Salary Grade 11 to 15. Rep. Antonio Tinio, the proponent of the bill, said that it is high time for a salary increase for public school teachers. Tinio emphasized that public school teachers are the lowest paid government workers.
In addition, Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael Mariano stated that the daily minimum wage is not enough to cover the daily cost of living. Mariano said that a minimum wage increase of P125 across the board for workers in the private sector and a P6,000 wage hike for employees in the public sector are imperative.
By: the editor
