Calabarzon workers say wage increase 'grossly inadequate'

Members of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino-Southern Tagalog chapter (BMP-ST), a group of labor associations, said that the P25 to P45 wage increase is “grossly inadequate” to address the basic needs of their families.

In their appeal to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Calamba City, Laguna on Monday, the BMP-ST cited that the wage board was “completely out of touch” with everyday realities faced by ordinary wage earners.

The RTWPB has decreed a P25 to P45 minimum wage increase that will take effect on 26 October 2026.

The wage order directed all employers in component cities and extended metropolitan areas to raise the minimum wage by 45 pesos, in first class municipalities to 40 pesos, second to fifth class municipalities to 25 pesos.

Agricultural workers will receive 25 to 45 pesos. Meanwhile those employing not more than ten in the retail trade industry across all areas are due to receive 42 pesos.

“Kakainin lang ng inflation yung wage increase. Halatang-halata na hindi kinunsidera ng wage board yung napakalalang 7.2% inflation rate sa Region IV-A. Hindi yan magkakasya sa taas presyo ng pamasahe, langis, LPG, kuryente at pagkain,” said Ely Guzman, leader of BMP-ST.

To prove that the wage boards were ineffectual, they complained that they filed their wage petition last April at the height of the US-Israeli war of aggression in West Asia when inflation rates topped at 7.2% only to wait for another six months when inflation is appraised again at 7.2% for the RTWPB to issue a meager P25-45 wage increase.

“Saang planeta ba nakatira ‘tong mga taga wage board,” Guzman asked. “Malinaw naman ang datos, kami ang pinaka-produktibo sa buong bansa at kami rin ang may pinakamalalang inflation rates. Hindi namin deserve ang pambabarat nila sa aming lakas paggawa,” the labor leader asserted.

The group vowed to hold larger and more frequent protest actions until their demands are met.

Appellants are the labor unions of Calamba Medical Center and TCB Royal Industries, both establishments are affiliates of BMP-ST and are based in Calamba, Laguna.