Calabarzon workers seek P750 minimum wage
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Twelve labor organizations under the Workers Initiative for Wage Increase (WIN4WIN) petitioned to bring the daily minimum wage in Calabarzon region to PHP750 (US$13.79).
WIN4WIN spokesperson Ann Castillo said that for decades, “wage rationalization has been a burden to workers in the southern Tagalog.”
The daily minimum wage in Calabarzon, also known as Region 4A, is divided across four areas of classification depending on the nature of work and location. Regional workers currently earn PHP280, PHP321, PHP360, and PHP400 daily.
According to the group, raising the minimum wage would help workers cope with inflation and the rising prices of everyday goods.
The unified petition involves labor groups that have previously been rivals for membership and influence. “Now, we are showing a broad unity of workers in [Calabarzon] for a unified minimum wage for all workers in the region,” Castillo added.
The collective petition includes the following groups:
- Metal Workers Alliance of the Philippines
- Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino Southern Tagalog
- Kilusang Mayo Uno
- Federation of Free Workers
- Confederation of Filipino Workers
- National Federation of Labor Union
- Drug, Food, and Allied Workers Federation
- Kilos na Manggagawa Southern Tagalog
- TF2- Kilos Damit
- Workers Assistance Center
- Workers in Semiconductor and Electronics Network (WISENET)
- Kilusan ng Manggagawang Makabayan-Katipunan
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board for Calabarzon last issued a wage order to raise minimum wages in June 2022, with the second tranche of that increase implemented last December.
