Republic of the Philippines

YOUTH CONGRESS

Baguio City

INTRODUCE BY: GINA G. JABONITE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The current minimum wage for workers is still well below the ten thousand pesos (P10, 000.00) mark. This is despite of the fact that the minimum cost of living for an average family of five (5), as determined by the national statistics office (NSO).

Our workers and employees have, for many years, been clamoring for the enactment of legislated across-the board wage increase in the amount of one hundred fifty pesos (P150.00) per day.

The undersigned believes that it is high time we consider granting this request in order to bridge the gap between what our workers are receiving and what they need to be able to properly provide for their families’ needs

These propose wage increase well definitely increase the purchasing power of workers and their families. The same may in fact help boost consumption that may ultimately redound to the benefit of capitalist and business owners in the form of higher sales and better profits.

Accordingly, the passive of this bill is earnestly sought.



GINA G. JABONITE

Republic of the Philippines
YOUTH CONGRESS
Baguio City
INTRODUCE BY: GINA G. JABONITE

INTRODUCED BY: GINA G. JABONITE

“AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A (P150.00) DAILY ACROSS THE BOARD INCRREASE IN THE SALARY RATES OF EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND OTHER PURPOSES.”

SECTION 1. Short title- this act shall be known as “The P150.00 daily across the board wage increase act.”

SECTION 2.Declaration of Policy – it is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to alleviate the living conditions of the ordinary Filipino’s through policies that provide for a decent and humane standard of living and improved quality of life. Towards this end the aim of all provisions of this act, is to ensure the right of labor to its just share in the fruits of production; to guarantee the workers’ right to a living wage; and to promote social justice through the adoption of measures calculated to ensure the well being and economic security of all the members of the community.

SECTION 3.Across- the - Board Wage Increase in line with the declared policy under this act, all employers in the private sector whether agricultural or non-agricultural regardless of the capitalization and numbers of employees shall pay their workers an across the board wage increase in the sum of one hundred fifty pesos (P150.00) per day to be paid in the following manner.

A.) upon the effectively of this act, an additional fifty pesos (P50.00) a day;
B.) The year there after, an additional Fifty pesos (P50.00) a day.
C.) And on the third year, the remaining amount of fifty pesos (P50.00) a day will be added.

SECTION 4.Non – chargeability of prior increase- no wage increase shall be credited as compliance with the increase prescribed herein unless expressly provided under valid coactive bargaining agreements: Provided, that such wage increase granted in anticipation of the legislated across the board wage increase under this Act: Provided further, that where such increase is less than the prescribed under this Act, the employer shall pay the difference such increases shall not include anniversary wage increases, merit wage increases and those resulting from the regularization or promotion of employees.

SECTION 5. Non-diminution of other benefits- Nothing in this act shall be construed to reduce any existing allowance and benefits of any form under existing laws, issuances, executive orders and any contract or agreement between workers and employers.

SECTION 6. Inspection by the DOLE. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall after approval of this Act, conduct inspection of the payroll and other financial records kept by the company or business to determine whether the workers are paid the prescribed across the board wage increase and other benefits granted by law. In a unionized company’s establishment or businesses, the inspection should be carried out in the presence of the workers in the said company. The workers representative shall have the right to submit his own findings to the DOLE and to testify on the same if he cannot concur be the findings of the Labor inspector

SECTION 7. Penalties. - Any person, corporation, trust, firm, partnership, association or entity violating any provision of this act shall be punished with a fined not less than thirty thousand pesos (P30, 000.00) nor more than one hundred thousand pesos (P100, 000.) or imprisonment of not less than three (3) or more than four (4) years, or both such fine imprisonment at the discretion of the court and if the violation is committed by a corporation trust or firm, association and other entity, the penalty of the imprisonment shall be impose upon the entity’s responsible officers including, but not limited to, president, vice president, chief executive officer, general manager director or partner. The employer concerned shall be ordered to pay an amount equivalent to double the unpaid benefits owing to the employees: provided that payment of indemnity shall not absolve the employer from the criminal liability imposable under this act provided further.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -The secretary of labor and employment shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this act.

SECTION 9. Severabilitv. - If any provision or part of this act or application there of to any person or circumstance is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this act or the application of such provision or part there of to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts there of inconsistent with the provision of this act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly

SECTION 11. Effectivity. - This act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of the general circulation.