Ipinangako ni Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri na maipapasa ang panukalang batas para sa ₱150 across-the-board wage increase bago magtapos ang 2023.

“We’re pushing that before the year ends – by December – we’ll pass the legislative wage [hike] bill. It may not be a priority in the LEDAC (Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council), but what is important is the Senate would make a stand. We’ll pass it here… So that by next year, it will be a great Christmas gift for the Filipino people for 2024,” ani Zubiri sa panayam sa kaniya ng media noong Agosto 31.

Naniniwala si Zubiri na hindi lamang ang mga minimum wage earner ang dapat makatanggap ng dagdag na sahod kundi lahat ng empleyado sa bansa.

Samantala, binatikos naman ni Zubiri ang pananatiling “neutral” ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) kaugnay ng panukalang dagdag-sahod para sa lahat ng mga manggagawa.

“The DOLE will always stay neutral, which I think is a misconception and a wrong position to take. They should not be neutral. They should always fight for the welfare of the laborer,” pahayag ng senate president.

(Photo courtesy of Senate of the Philippines)