Pacquiao pushes P125 wage hike

[james_chaw]

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Pacquiao pushes P125 wage hike

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

MANILA -- Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is supporting the proposed law providing for a P125 across-the-board wage increase in the private sector, a move seen as a "big boost" to the workers fight for a substantial wage increase.

Pacquiao, who is congressman of Sarangani province, co-authored House Bill No. 375 otherwise known as "An Act Providing for a P125 daily wage across-the-board increase in the salary rates of employees and workers in the private sector and for other purposes".

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The boxing champ said that he understands the sentiments of ordinary workers in the private sector as he himself had been one of the working class before becoming a boxing superstar.

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"Before I reached where I am now, I am an ordinary worker. I worked as a janitor. I accepted the job even if the salary is very little so that my family can eat. I also worked as a construction worker. I even sold sampaguita (the country’s national flower) on the streets," Pacquiao said in Filipino.

He said the passage of the bill is long overdue.

"You can count on my support. My life was not easy. I want to let the workers know that I understand that they have been fighting for the right to a living wage, which is provided by the Constitution," he said in Filipino.

Labor groups Kilusang Mayo Uno and Anakpawis are pushing for the bill's passage.

HB 375 that pushes for a legislated wage hike was a take-off from a measure passed but later recalled by the 13th Congress at the last hour on the excuse that the committee report recommending its approval needs to be reviewed.

In a House resolution, party-list legislators stated that the minimum wage in Metro Manila being P404 is P553 short of the family living wage valued at P957 as of June 2010, according to the National Wages and Productivity Commission.

Pacquiao, a neophyte congressman, vowed to urge his colleagues in the House of Representatives to support the wage increase.

He believes that employers won't go bankrupt if the legislated wage hike will be approved.

Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares, one of the co-authors of the measure, lauded Pacquiao’s support for the measure hoping it would boost their efforts for the wage increase.

"It would also greatly popularize the bill. We hope that it (HB 375) would gather enough momentum so that it can be passed," Colmenares said in a text message.

Kabataan Representative Raymond Palatino agreed with Colmenares, saying the boxing icon’s support would garner the support of their colleagues, especially from Mindanao and the neophyte congressmen.
Pacquiao pushes P125 wage hike | Sun.Star

Wala sila nangabuang? Php125 daily wage across the board? dili man kana ang problema, purchasing power man sa peso. after the Php125, what makes you think dili napud sila mangayu hantud ma.abot nag Php1000 per day ang minimum wage? ilang gi.hunahuna pirmi kay minimum living wage.

[elord]

Mas Maayo lang ni kaysa wala dyud.. kami dire 4 years na wla increase dyud.. lisud e budget ang sueldo pero survived gihapon.

[Dax101106]

Kani murag maayo ni nga kung madayon gyud...

[richcong]

murag naay possibility nga magretrench ang mga companies ani

[GOOGLE]

d ni makaya sa uban company..

[noy pilo]

maayo ni kang pacman dah...

[trax]

maau unta ug mopsar gyud ni, pra daghan pud intawon mka benefit ani. tnx to pacman for supporting the bill

[peewee_toot]

mo angal jud ang mga negosyante ani. esp kanang daghan og mga employees. but this is good esp on the part of the employees.

[cobraKing]

left hook na ni pakyaw ang ni lihok...aprove ko ani pra mka gawas sa sad kalisod...

[makie]

Nasobrahan ra gyud ug ka pro-people si Pacquiao. Wa na kahunahuna nga daghang kompanya malugi ani or daghan maretrench.