Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Arlene D. Brosas today reiterated the urgent need for an across-the-board P750 wage increase to meet the Family Living Wage of P1,200 per day, as the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) convenes to discuss wage hike petitions.

“The current minimum wage of P610 in Metro Manila is grossly insufficient to meet the basic needs of Filipino families. With the rising costs of basic goods and services, workers are struggling to make ends meet. An immediate P750 wage increase is necessary to bring the minimum wage closer to the Family Living Wage of P1,200,” Rep. Brosas stated.

The Gabriela solon criticized the meager P24 increase proposed by employers’ groups as “insulting and out of touch with the economic realities faced by Filipino workers.”

Last week, 38 Philippine companies have been included in Fortune Magazine’s inaugural “Southeast Asia 500” list. Ramon Ang’s San Miguel Corp. is the sole Philippine firm in the Top 10, ranking 9th with $26.02B in revenues.

“Pag mga malalaking kumpanya, okay lang na magkamal ng sobra-sobrang kita pero pag usapin na ng sahod ng mga manggagawa, hindi pwedeng itaas sa signipikanteng halaga,” Rep. Brosas said. “A P24 increase is a slap in the face of our workers who have long been bearing the brunt of economic crisis after crisis.”

Rep. Brosas also rejected calls for a moratorium on wage increases, saying it would only further push workers into poverty. “Any delay in implementing a significant wage hike will only exacerbate the suffering of our workers. The government must prioritize the welfare of the working class over the profits of big businesses,” she added.

Gabriela Women’s Party vows to continue pushing for the passage of House Bill 7568 or the P750 National Minimum Wage Act, which seeks to legislate a substantial wage increase for all workers nationwide.