Congressmen eye ‘pro-worker’ bloc

LAWMAKERS are planning to form a bloc at the House of Representatives to give the much-needed push for “pro-worker” reforms in the lower chamber, a congressman said on Monday.

In a statement, Albay Rep. Raymond Adrian E. Salceda said that neophyte lawmakers are seeking to form a congressional alliance to support a sweeping list of proposals, including the abolition of regional wage boards.

“We’re mostly talking to freshmen, [and] the people I’ve spoken with are also having their own conversations,” he said. “So I expect this bloc to reach a decent number.”

The possible grouping seeks to push a “national living wage” by first putting an end to the practice of setting minimum wages via regional wage boards, he added. Lawmakers have previously argued the system delivers slow and meager increases that fail to keep up with rising costs.

Mr. Salceda said they would also pursue other labor reforms like ensuring wage parity for women and “vulnerable” workers, while also expanding workers’ social protection on healthcare and maternity benefits.

The hatching coalition’s labor agenda also includes strengthening the rights of workers to organize and collectively bargain. They also seek to set minimum pay rates and standardize benefits for gig workers. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio