MANILA, Philippines – Hinimok ng Trabaho party-list nitong Sabado, Agosto 1, ang Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) at concerned agencies na “firmly defend” at ipaglaban ang validity ng P85 minimum wage increase sa Metro Manila matapos mag-isyu ng temporary restraining order (TRO) sa implementasyon nito ang korte sa Pasig.
“We call on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-NCR) to firmly defend and establish the legal and economic validity of Wage Order No. NCR-27 in court,” saad sa pahayag ni Trabaho Party-list Rep. Atty. Johanne Bautista.
Noong Huwebes, Hulyo 30, ay nag-isyu ang Pasig City Regional Court Branch 152 ng TRO sa P85 wage increase, o Wage Order NCR-27, kasunod ng petisyong inihain ng dalawang construction company.
Iginiit ni Bautista na ang pinagbigyang wage increase sa mga manggagawa sa Metro Manila ay unang sumailalim sa konsultasyon sa mga miyembro ng labor sector bilang tugon sa tripartite wage determination process.
Sinabi pa niya na ang korte ay pinagbabawalang mag-isyu ng injunction o TRO upang ipatigil ang implementasyon ng wage order, gaya ng nakasaad sa Republic Act No. 6727, o Wage Rationalization Act, na nagtatag ng RTWPB para maglatag ng statutory minimum wages batay sa regional living costs, employers’ capacity to pay, at economic factors.
“The law grants the NWPC the authority to hear appeals against the decision of the RTWPB, and explicitly prohibits any court from issuing an injunction or temporary restraining order (TRO) against any hearing or proceedings before the NWPC or RTWPB,” paliwanag niya.
Sinabi ni Bautista na patuloy na sisikapin ng party-list ang lahat ng administrative, legal, at legislative na paraan maging ang practical measures sa pagdepensa sa “the rightful wage adjustments for minimum wage earners”.
“While we respect the judicial process and the right of all parties to seek legal remedies, we maintain that the right of our workers to a fair wage must remain the top priority, especially amid the continuing rise in the cost of living,” aniya. RNT/JGC
