Labor groups are calling on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Regional Wage Boards (RWBs) to exercise fairness and conduct hearings or consultations on the petitions the groups filed for a substantial wage increase and the return of a national minimum wage. The groups – Kilos Na Manggagawa, the Metal Workers Alliance of the Philippines (MWAP), and the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) said that the two labor institutions should not simply dismiss the petitions they filed and favor that of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP).
The BPO Industry Employees Network urges BPO workers to support Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) and Neri Colmenares this coming elections so BPO workers and the people can have a voice in Congress.
“Gabriela Women’s Party has a proven track record of promoting not only women’s rights but also workers’ rights including those of BPO workers. They have authored legislations that give added legal protection to workers most notably are RA 11058 or the new Occupational Safety and Health Law and RA 11210 or Expanded Maternity Leave Law,” Mylene Cabalona, BIEN President said.
Representative and GWP 1st Nominee Arlene Brosas with BIEN President Mylene Cabalona.
The group added that GWP together with Kabataan Partylist is also sponsoring a BPO Workers Welfare bill which recently underwent the Labor Committee hearing in Lower House.
Apart from legislation, BIEN also emphasized the role GWP has played in exposing the realities of workers and the poor on the ground through Congressional inquiries and inviting workers’ representatives during committee hearings.
“For several years, we worked closely with GWP in many issues faced by BPO workers like floating, massive illegal dismissals, discrimination against pregnant women and intensified work flexibilization at the expense of workers’ welfare,” Cabalona added. Continue reading “BIEN vouches for Gabriela, Colmenares”→
The BPO Industry Employees Network on the occasion of this year’s International Labor Day reiterated its call for a P750 minimum wage for every Filipino worker considering the rising cost of basic commodities, including food and fuel as a result of the implementation of the TRAIN Law.
On April 26, the group filed a petition for wage increase before the NCR Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.
BIEN joins the call for a P750 national minimum wage in a protest action in front of NCR-RTWPB following the filing of petition for minimum wage hike on April 26.
“For the longest time, wage levels in the country are not enough to afford a Filipino family a decent life. Considering the impact of TRAIN Law to the prices of basic goods and successive hikes in fuel and utility prices, there is more than enough reason for the government to provide a significant raise to workers’ wages,” Mylene Cabalona, BIEN’s National President said in response to government’s statement that a “supervening event” is needed to raise minimum wages more than once in twelve months. Continue reading “Filipino workers need a P750 minimum wage”→
