Minimum wage not enough, workers lament

Workers on Wednesday lamented their minimum wage earnings, which one said is not enough to keep a family running.

Anthony Cordova Jr., a carpenter, said he has to stretch his budget to meet his family's daily needs, according to Manal Sugadol's report on GMA News' Stand for Truth.

"Ang 537 hindi po talaga sasapat sa isang pamilya. Masyado pong maliit dahil tumataas nga yung mga bilihin, yung sahod mabagal ang pagtaas," Cordova said.

"Ako lang po ang bumubuhay sa sarili ko. Marami nga po akong anak puro wala namang trabahong maganda," 77-year-old street-sweeper Lucia Bona added.

Despite this, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) defended that the Philippines has the highest minimum wage in Asia.

"Dito po sa Asia, ganoon na rin po sa ASEAN, tayo po ang may pinakamalaking, pinakamataas na may minimum wage. Walang tax yung natatanggap ng ating mga manggagawa bilang minimum wage earner," Benjo Benavides, the assistant secretary for Regional Operation and Special Concern, said.

Watch this report. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News