By CESAR JOLITO III
Labor group General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) warned that ordinary Filipino workers are facing a growing struggle to survive as the cost of living continues to outpace wages, calling on the government to urgently intervene.
In a position paper released to the media and government agencies, GAWA said prices of basic goods, fuel and electricity have surged faster than salaries, forcing many families to cut back on essentials, take on multiple jobs, or incur debt just to make ends meet.
GAWA Secretary General Wennie Sancho said stagnant wages have severely weakened workers’ purchasing power, noting that salaries have failed to keep up with inflation and the declining value of the peso.
“The government failed to fast-track and approve the pending bill on the National Minimum Wage pending in Congress. The economic downturn is exacerbated by job insecurity, where many workers are in precarious or informal employment, lacking social protection,” Sancho said in a statement.
Sancho also criticized the delay in Congress’ approval of the proposed bill, saying the government’s inaction has left workers vulnerable amid the worsening economic downturn.
To address the crisis, GAWA strongly urged the immediate passage of the National Minimum Wage Bill into law, pushing for a living wage that reflects the current cost of living and strict enforcement to ensure employer compliance.
The government should strengthen price control and monitoring, implement and enforce price ceilings on essential goods and utilities, as well as increase transparency in pricing and penalize profiteering, Sancho added.
Beyond wage and price measures, GAWA recommended expanding government-funded skills training and development programs to help workers adapt to changing job markets and access better-paying employment.
“The government should … strengthen labor rights and collective bargaining agreement. Protect workers’ rights to organize and negotiate for better wages and working conditions. Support unions and workers’ associations in policy discussions,” Sancho added.
GAWA appealed to the government, media and other stakeholders to prioritize the plight of ordinary workers in policy-making and public discussions, warning that immediate and concrete action is needed to prevent further hardship among vulnerable families.
The labor group said it remains ready to work with government agencies, employers and civil society organizations to help implement solutions and monitor progress in addressing the country’s cost-of-living crisis./CJ, WDJ