The Doability, Justness, and Urgency of Living Wage
Church People-Workers Solidarity (CWS) joins the millions of workers worldwide in commemorating the Labor Day. CWS pays tribute to the working class who, for centuries, continues to advance the cause of workers for dignified labor despite various forms of state repression. This Labor Day 2023, CWS strongly emphasizes the justness, urgency, and doability of living wage in the midst of economic hardships. Therefore, CWS supports the clamor of labor unions in the country for a substantial wage increase.
The Doability of Living Wage
The minimum wage of many Filipino families has been long insufficient for a decent living. A raise has been a must. This will not only benefit the workers and their families but also the economy. CWS supports bills filed by the Makabayan bloc and other lawmakers for a substantial wage increase. House Bill no. 7568 proposed for a P750 wage increase, while Senator Miguel Zubiri’s Senate Bill No. 2002 seeks for P150 increase. CWS also supports initiatives by progressive labor groups to demand for wage increase. The coalition Unity for Wage Increase Now! (UWIN) filed a petition to increase NCR minimum wage to P1,100 for non-agricultural workers. In CALABARZON, the Workers Initiative for Wage Increase (WIN4WIN) petitioned for an increase to P750.
Moreover, CWS supports the proposal that the government shall provide wage subsidies for micro-businesses. Revenues for wage subsidies can be generated by taxing the super-rich and the biggest corporations. Big companies and top billionaires have long benefited from workers’ productivity which earned them billions of profits. A wealth tax, for example, on 2,495 billionaires can contribute to P469 billion. Wage increase creates a strong economic multiplier effect. The additional income allows the workers and their families to buy more. Filipino families spend about 43% of their income on food. Spending more money can increase demand, which in turn can boost local businesses, employment, and economic activity.
The Justness of Living Wage
Living wage is necessary and just. A just wage (living wage, family wage, fair wage, or just compensation), is fundamental to Catholic Social Teaching for it is closely linked to human dignity. Based on this dignity, workers have a legitimate claim to those essential material goods that meet basic needs for food, clothing, shelter, health, education, security, and rest. Pope Leo XIII, in his Encyclical “Rerum Novarum”, asserts that justice, rooted in human dignity, meant that a just wage is one that allows a worker and family to live in “reasonable and frugal comfort” (#34). St. John Paul II, in his encyclical “Centesimus Annus”, considers a just wage as a “legitimate fruit of work” and to refuse or withhold it “can be a grave injustice” (#15). Pope Francis, for his part, emphasizes that a just wage should not be divorced from the workers demand for “three Ts”: Trabajo (work), Techo (housing), and Tierra (land and food). In the end, it is work that gives the human person dignity.
The Urgency of Living Wage
The Covid-19 pandemic and the war on Ukraine critically contributed to the worsening socio- economic conditions of the working class. Record-high inflation rates (highest in 14 years) led to price spike of basic commodities. Recently, the Department of Agriculture announced a possible increase in retail prices of rice “by as much as P5/kilo in the coming weeks due to expensive fertilizer and other farm inputs.” Skyrocketing prices of food, transportation, energy, and services continue to widen the gap between the minimum wage and family living wage. According to research group IBON, raising the minimum wage is urgent because the current nominal minimum wage of Filipino workers is unable to keep up with rising cost of living. Rising inflation and price increase in food items push the family living wage nationwide to an average of P1,165.
The rising cost of living and the insufficient wage are forcing workers to work more than twelve hours a day for an extra income to provide for their family. Others look for part-time jobs. Overworked and underpaid workers suffer from physical exhaustion which results to serious health problems including death. In November last year, Lalamove rider Noel Escote was found dead at his parked motorcycle in Kapitolyo, Pasig City. He died of fatigue after delivering goods to customers for almost twenty-four hours without rest.
CWS strongly urges the Marcos Jr. administration to give serious attention to wages, income, and the dignity of work. The administration should back workers’ demands for a national wage increase if it genuinely wishes to help millions of wage earners and their families in coping with rising prices. Pope John XXIII, in Mater et Magistra, affirmed that the remuneration of work can be left neither to “the laws of the market place” nor “the will of the more powerful” but “must be determined in accordance with justice and equity.” In other words, it must permit workers “to live a truly human life and to fulfill their family obligations in a worthy manner.”
Most Rev. Gerardo A. Alminaza, D.D.
Bishop of Diocese of San Carlos
Chairperson of CWS
Email: gerard_alminaza@yahoo.com
