Government employees seek P6,000 pay increase

BAGUIO CITY – Government workers in a nationally coordinated action pressed their demand Thursday for a P6, 000 additional in the minimum pay of all state workers.

While their counterparts in other regions in the country hold simultaneous mass actions and other related activities, thousands of government employees in the National Capital Region treked UST España to Malacañang.

Wage Fight!, an alliance of state workers spearheaded the activity and is pushing passage of House Bill 3746 sponsored by Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael Mariano seeking the P6,000 hike.

The alliance at the same time is also supporting HB 375 or the legislation of a P125 wage increase for the workers in the private sector.

In the Cordillera, the regional Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees, said “it is most justified to demand for salary increase as it is in line with the advancement of social justice and in recognition of the basic rights of the workers, who are the ones building the country’s economy but they still are the most oppressed and exploited forces of the society.”

According to Mau Aguilar of the Judiciary Employees Association (JUDEA) and spokesperson of Wage Fight!, the P6,000 increase in the minimum pay will bring salaries of government employees closer to the actual cost of living.

Aguilar said the take home pay of government employees cannot actually take them home anymore. “The prices of just about everything have gone up – oil, jeepney and bus fares, toll fees, rice, sugar, bread,” said Aguilar.

She said a substantial salary increase is imperative to provide the 1.4 million employees an immediate relief.

Courage –Cordillera said the P7,574 minimum monthly pay is a pegged amount for a family with six members to survive in a month.

This does not include mandatory deductions such as taxes, GSIS, Pag-ibig and Philhealth premiums and contributions.
According to the government’s conservative estimate of cost of living, a family of six needs P28,710 per month.

Courage said it is also pressing for full implementation of the Salary Standardization Law 3 which was passed in 2009.

As an answer to demand of government employees for a salary increase, the administration of then President Gloria Arroyo implemented SSL 3 with a P9, 000 increase but will be given in four tranches.