Labor Center calls added P12 ECOLA “miniscule and deceiving,” pushes for Php 125 wage hike

The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Labor Center slammed the reported Php 12 addition to the existing Php 50 Emergency Cost of Living Allowance (ECOLA) and called it mere crumbs compared to the Php 776 daily cost of living in the National Capital Region while vowing to pursue the Php 125 legislated across-the-board wage hike.

“According to our sources, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) is set to ink a Php 12 increase in ECOLA. Any increase in ECOLA will not be computed to the basic pay of workers. What we have been pushing for is an increase in basic pay of workers to mitigate the downward spiral of the livelihood of workers and their families," stated Elmer "Ka Bong" Labog, National Chairperson of the KMU.

“Whether or not the increase will be for ECOLA or to be added to the basic pay, it will not make any dent in the poverty-stricken condition of Filipinos. With Php 12 amount, families are forced to choose with either buying 1 can of sardine or half a kilo of rice because that is all it can buy,” stated Labog.

“This increase is also meant to deceive and act out as a preventive strike by capitalist against the push of workers for the re-filing of the Php 125 wage bill since according to the law only once a year can there be any wage increase. It meant more to torpedo our efforts rather than answer the real needs of workers,” opined Labog.

Labog stressed the efforts of Rep. Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran of ANAKPAWIS in fighting for the implementation of a legislated wage hike. "We are behind Ka Bel’s 100% in his endeavor to pass a legislation increasing the pay of workers not only in the private sector but also for government employees."