Manila workers seek minimum wage of PHP750
Labor organizations are again urging the government to increase the minimum wage of Metro Manila workers to a daily PHP750 (USD14.40) amid the rising costs of goods and services. The BPO Industry Employees Network, KNM (an organization of contractual workers), and the Metal Workers Alliance of the Philippines said the wage increase they ask for represents only a third of the estimated amount required by a family of five to live a decent life. Jen Pajel, president of KNM, said Filipino workers are struggling to survive daily due to the increasing prices of commodities and services. According to the Ibon Foundation, a family of five should receive at least PHP1,000 daily to buy food and other needs. However, the Philippine Statistics Authority calculated that a daily budget of PHP350, or PHP10,481 monthly, is estimated to be enough for the same number of family members to survive.
