National Capital Region workers protested in front of the Nepa-Q Mart in Quezon City on July 3 to criticize the ₱40 wage increase mandated by the regional wage board. This increase, which will be received starting July 16, is equivalent to only a 7% of needed amount to reach the family living wage. Workers denounced what they called “paltry minimum” of the cheap Marcos regime.

In the order issued, wages of workers in agriculture, services and retail businesses will increase from ₱533 to ₱573. Non-agricultural workers will receive ₱610 from the previous ₱570. This is a far cry from the living wage for a five-person family of ₱1,160 per day in April. This is very low even compared to the ₱150 across-the-board proposal in the Senate.

Workers are aware that much more is needed to push their demand for higher wages. If it were up to the capitalists and the state, not a peso or even lesser increase would be granted on the grounds that it will “raise” inflation or would be “detrimental” to businesses. Workers promised to intensify their struggle for just wage increases throughout the country.