News Release

May 18, 2012

The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today slammed the National Capital Regional Wage Board for the approval of a P30.00 wage increase, a far cry from the P125 wage increase that many labor groups have been demanding.

“The amount is ridiculously small, grossly inadequate, and utterly insulting. Once again, the Philippine government shows that it gives more importance to the interests of big business rather than the interests of the workers. Even more insulting is that the small amount comes in two tranches. Maliit na nga, installment pa!  This is of course the inevitable outcome of President Aquino’s Labor Day doomsday speech where he lambasted the proposal for a P125 legislated wage hike as being bad for the economy,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.

“The increase represents a mere 7% adjustment from the current NCR wage levels. In fact, the nationwide average wage adjustments remain one of the lowest in the world, even below the global average of more than 10%,” Reyes said.

Business analysts have previously noted that the Philippines is the third lowest in the world when it comes to the rate of increases for wages and salaries.

The group said that the Aquino government has proven itself to be “anti-worker” by its refusal for a substantial wage increase.

“We plan to raise this issue before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on May 29, when the Philippine government’s rights record is scrutinized by the member countries of the UNHRC. This is a continuing violation of the Philippine government’s commitment under the Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, particularly the right to an adequate standard of living,” Reyes said.

Bayan will join Philippine human rights groups is calling the attention of the international community in Geneva on the violations of economic, social and cultural rights in the Philippines, on top of the more known violations of civil and political rights.  ###