Hontiveros Calls for the Passage of Minimum Wage Bill Before Congress Ends

Senator Risa Hontiveros is urging both Houses of Congress to immediately act on the proposed minimum wage hike, stressing that the long-overdue increase must not be left hanging as the 19th Congress nears its end.

"We are down to the wire. Dalawang sesyon na lang ang nalalabi sa 19th Congress at dapat talakayin na ang batas na magbibigay ng umento sa sahod ng minimum wage workers sa pribadong sektor. Huwag natin silang kalimutan," Hontiveros said.

Last week, the House of Representatives approved House Bill (HB) No. 11376 proposing a ?200 increase in the daily wage of minimum wage workers in the private sectors.

The Senate earlier passed its own version of the bill, calling for a ?100 wage increase, with Hontiveros co-sponsoring the measure and ensuring that contractual, sub-contractual, and agency-hired workers were also covered.

Hontiveros emphasized the urgent need to convene a bicameral conference committee to reconcile the differing provisions of the House and Senate versions of the minimum wage bill.

Likewise, she calls on her fellow senators, especially the senate leadership to act on this matter immediately.

"Pareho namang sumasang-ayon ang Kamara at Senado na oras na para magbigay ng umento sa sahod. Dapat nang mag-convene ng bicameral conference committee para pag-isahin ang magkaibang bersyon. Para agaran na rin itong maipadala sa Malacanang at maisabatas na," the senator said.

The senator emphasized that amid talks of impeachment, the issue must be given equal importance, as many minimum wage workers are relying on it.

"Ang dagdag sahod ay pagkain sa mesa, pambili ng gamit eskwela para sa anak, pamasahe para makapasok sa trabaho. Pakinggan natin ang boses ng manggagawa na patuloy na nakikipagbuno sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin, pamasahe, at serbisyo," Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros, who had earlier urged the President in February to certify the bill as urgent, once again calls on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to support the measure and ensure it becomes a law.

"Mr. President, we ask you to stand with our workers. Ipasa natin ang batas na ito. Help deliver the long-overdue justice that Filipino workers deserve," she concluded.