Unions laud SC decision on nurses’ pay

According to the labor groups, the ruling is a corrective measure that will give initial justice to nurses in the public sector. #nursepay

A state worker at Salary Grade 15 can earn as much as P31,545.

Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a provision of the Philippine Nursing Act that puts public nurses at a higher salary grade level has received a positive response from labor unions.

In an en banc session held on Tuesday, 8 October, SC declared Section 32 of the Republic Act 9173 or the Philippine Nursing Act valid. The section provides that the minimum base pay for nurses working in public health institutions shall not be lower than SG 15.

A state worker at Salary Grade 15 can earn as much as P31,545, while those at Salary Grade 11 can receive as much as P22,055.

“This ruling is a fresh air in October! The high court ruling that Section 32 of the Republic Act 9173 as valid is positive step, will provide impetus for congressional budgetary allocation and will put a new wind to the struggle for workers’ family living wage,” Federation of Free Workers president Sonny Matula said.

Registered nurse Manuel Payao, president of the UERM Employees Association-Federation of Free Workers, also welcomed the SC decision.

“This is an initial victory for nurses in the public sector and will most likely put a fresh wind for nurses in their CBA (collective bargaining agreement) negotiation for wages in the private sector,“ Payao said.

According to the labor groups, the ruling is a corrective measure that will give initial justice to nurses in the public sector.

Meanwhile, registered nurse Lorena Escano of the Philippine Association of Health Professional-FFW stressed that “though [the salary increase is] not yet comparable with the wages of workers in Austratia, Singapore or Middle East, we hope this will encourage our nurses to stay home and practice their profession in the country.”