Labor groups held a lightning rally outside the Manila Hotel on Thursday, September 10, where a meeting of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) was reportedly taking place.
Kamanggagawa Partylist Rep. Eli San Fernando criticized the meeting, describing the proceedings as “puro palihim” as workers protested the stalled ₱85 wage increase in Metro Manila.
San Fernando said the NWPC was meeting to discuss the ratification of Wage Order No. 28. He argued that Wage Order No. 27 remains effective and should not be replaced without properly addressing its implementation.
“Bakit sila mag-meeting nang patago at sikreto tungkol sa sahod ng mga manggagawa na wala 'yung mga manggagawa mismo?” San Fernando questioned.
He also criticized the proposed Wage Order No. 28, saying it would reduce the previously proposed ₱85 wage increase to ₱60.
“Makakasaysayang rollback yan. Kasi from 85 pesos na nagdag-sahod kabuan, lumalabas dito sa wage order number 28 na 60 pesos na lang,” he said.
The Kamanggagawa Partylist, together with the National Wage Coalition (NWC), Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), and other labor groups, called on Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino to uphold Wage Order No. 27 and reject the proposed Wage Order No. 28.
He also challenged the National Capital Region Wage Board to release the minutes of its September 2 meeting, which he disputed as a genuine public consultation. San Fernando maintained that workers were merely being consulted about their views and that no formal public consultation was conducted.
“Walang public consultation, therefore walang rason para mag-meeting ang National Wages and Productivity Commission to ratify wage order 28,” San Fernando said.
