Senator Risa Hontiveros has assured that individuals employed under contractual, sub-contractual, or manpower agencies earning the minimum wage will be included in the bill proposing a P100 increase in the daily minimum wage for private sector workers.

“Sinigurado nating hindi maiiwan sa umento sa sahod ang construction workers, security guards, utilities, waiters, at iba pang manggagawa sa service sector, na kadalasan ay contractual o sub contractual. Ito ay paraan para maipamalas natin ang equal treatment at fair labor practices para sa lahat ng manggagawa, ano pa man ang kanyang employment status,” she said.

The Senate has recently approved Senate Bill No. 2534, titled the “P100 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act of 2023,” requiring a P100 daily wage raise for private sector workers across agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. The bill was sponsored by Senator Jinggoy Estrada, the Chairperson of the Committee on Labor.

“Ako po ay masaya at madaling maipapasa ang P100 wage increase para sa mga manggagawa. Ito ay malaking tulong sa pang-araw araw na pakikibaka nila para mabuhay sa halagang minimum wage. Umaasa akong mabilis din itong maisasabatas para agad na mapakinabangan ng ating mga kababayan,” she remarked.

Although the suggested P100 wage hike is a noteworthy move towards offering essential assistance to minimum wage earners, Hontiveros emphasized that it does not fully meet the broader objective of attaining a “living wage” for both workers and their families.

A study by the IBON Foundation revealed that a family of five living in the National Capital Region needs a daily wage of at least P1,193 to maintain a decent standard of living. However, as of July 16, 2023, the daily minimum wage in the NCR is merely half of that amount, at P610.

“Hindi dito natatapos ang pagsisikap nating mabigyan ng disenteng buhay ang ating mga manggagawa. There is an urgent need for reforms to enhance the effectiveness of wage-setting mechanisms and strengthen workers’ bargaining power that will help us further uplift the lives of our minimum wage workers,” she concluded.