Court order suspending Metro Manila wage hike expires August 13

MANILA, Philippines — The court order temporarily suspending the implementation of the daily minimum wage hike in Metro Manila is set to expire on Thursday, August 13.

Labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said it is waiting to see if the Pasig City Regional Trial Court will grant the writ of preliminary injunction sought by construction companies Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc.

TUCP spokesperson Carlos Miguel Oñate told dzMM on Thursday that if the local court grants the injunction, the implementation of the wage hike will remain suspended indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Francis Tolentino explained on Wednesday, August 12, that only the court has the power to issue a clarificatory order, dismiss the case, or let the suspension lapse.

“May mga clarificatory order siyang dapat gawin…’yung hakbangin kung ano ‘yung susunod ay magmumula sa Branch 152,” Tolentino said.

(She has a clarificatory order to do…the next steps would come from Branch 152)

Tolentino said the labor agency does not have the power to simply order the implementation of the wage hike after the suspension expires.

“Nakadepende sa kanya, pwede niyang i-dismiss ‘yon kung sasabihin niyang wala siyang jurisdiction,” the labor secretary said.

This week, several labor groups have already filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the lower court’s suspension order.

TUCP said it is also considering taking the same action, depending on the Pasig court’s decision.

“Hindi po ma-a-afford ng ating mga manggagawa na ma-indefinitely suspended po ‘yung kanilang P60 na wage increase,” Oñate said.

(Our workers cannot afford to have their P60 wage increase suspended indefinitely.)

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