Labor groups decry court order suspending wage hike in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Labor groups and organizations are urging Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino to side with workers and defend the P85 minimum wage increase after a local court temporarily suspended its implementation on Thursday, July 30.

The Federation of Free Workers, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), and the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights slammed the status quo ante order issued by the Pasig Regional Trial Court against the wage hike following a petition filed by Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc. questioning its validity.

Kamanggagawa Party-list Rep. Eli San Fernando also expressed dismay over the decision and pointed out that it contradicts labor laws.

In response, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it was saddened by, but respects, the court's decision.

However, labor leaders are calling on Tolentino, the respondent in the case, to challenge the court order and stand by his promise of a “historic” wage increase for workers in Metro Manila.

“Dapat si secretary Tolentino manindigan siya in favor sa mga manggagawa kasi alam niyang agrabyado eh. Huwag na siyang magbulag-bulagan pa,” Kilusang Mayo Uno chairperson Jerome Adonis told Super Radyo dzBB on Friday, July 31.

Labor code

The first tranche of the P85 wage hike in Metro Manila took effect on July 25 with a P60 increase in the minimum wage, but the status quo ante order undoes these changes while the court hears the case.

However, Adonis, as well as Federation of Free Workers President Sonny Matula and TUCP spokesperson Carlos Miguel Oñate, argued that the suspension violates Article 126 of the Wage Rationalization Act.

The law they cited states that “no preliminary or permanent injunction or temporary restraining order may be issued by any court, tribunal or other entity against any proceedings before the Commission or the Regional Boards."

Adonis, Matula, and Oñate said they are looking at possible legal strategies to challenge the court’s order, including filing a petition to intervene as third parties in the case.

“Bagama’t kami po ay third party rito, ang una pong tinamaan dito ay mga manggagawa,” Oñate told dzMM on Friday.

Employers’ dissent

While maintaining that the petition before the court is not under their control, Employers Confederation of the Philippines President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said they are willing to implement the wage increase, but they disagree with the amount.

“We disagreed with the amount on the basis that we think inflation, and that we are in wartime conditions, were not considered,” Ortiz-Luis told dzMM on Friday.

He added that their proposed increase was less than P50, based on their computations.

Employers had previously warned of possible layoffs due to the wage hike.

Meanwhile, the DOLE secretary said he would let the court explain its decision.

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