Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s touted salary increase is just “crumbs from the table” for government employees. Courage said this on the Executive Order (EO) 64 made public by the regime on August 2.

Courage said it only raised Salary Grade 1 Step 1 employees to a measly P530/month or ₱26 per day. The EO also awarded ₱7,000 as medical allowance to qualified staff.

“The ₱35/day minimum wage increase workers in the private sector in the National Capital Region received is already a pittance, the minimum wage given to government employees is even more so,” Courage said. Worse, it will be issued in four tranches, from 2024 to 2027.

In total, employees’ monthly salary will only reach ₱13,530. “Could employees with families survive on this?” Courage asked. In the group’s calculation, they need a minimum of ₱33,000 to live decently.

“Even after the 4th tranche of EO 64 SSL (Salary Standardization Law), pushing salaries to ₱15,208/month will not even be half of the living wage of ₱33,000/month,” it said.

“Low-ranking local government employees will receive even less,” the group said. The EO also does not cover contractual, casual and job order employees in government companies and corporations, it said.

“It is the right of all Filipino workers to receive a living wage according to the Philippine Constitution,” the group said. Although they consider the increase in salary and medical allowance as a victory of their struggle and collective action, they know that the increase and benefits are far from being enough.

“Let’s fight for what is due to us. Let’s continue our fight for a living wage for all Filipino workers!” the group said.