Up to 46% hike in gov't workers' basic salary proposed in Senate

A bill seeking to increase government workers' salaries to up to 46% has been filed in the Senate.

Senate labor, employment, and human resources development committee chairman Jinggoy Estrada filed Senate Bill 2611 or the Proposed Salary Standardization Law VI.

Under the proposed measure, increases in the basic salary of government workers will be given in four tranches.

According to Estrada, the first tranche will grant government workers a 10% increase, 11% increase for the second tranche or second year of implementation, 12% for the third tranche, and 13% on the fourth tranche.

This will total to a 46% hike during the covered period of the proposed law.

All civilian government employees, including public school teachers, nurses, salaried personnel in local government units, and barangay personnel who get monthly honoraria will be covered should the proposed measure be enacted into law.

The proposed salary hike will not include military and uniformed personnel, government-owned or -controlled corporations not covered by the GOCC Governance Act of 2011, and individuals who are engaged through job orders, contracts of service, consultancy or service contracts with no employer-employee relationship.

Estrada also proposed that the increase in the salaries for the President, Vice President, and members of Congress shall take effect only after the expiration of the respective terms of incumbent officials.

"This will allow them to cope with the continually rising prices of basic commodities and services to be able to continue to provide decent living to their families. More importantly, the proposed bill intends to convey the government's gratitude for their selfless service and utmost dedication to their work," Estrada said in his explanatory note.

The lawmaker added that the proposed measure will make the compensation of government workers competitive, which will help in retaining the incumbent employees and attract applicants at the same time.

"Through this, we can expect a more vibrant and robust civil service in the country," Estrada said.

In October last year, a government employees' group lobbied in front of the Senate to call for an increase in their minimum wage to P33,000 per month.

The protesters, led by the Confederation for Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE), said the value of their current income was no longer keeping pace with the rising prices of commodities.

On Labor Day, May 1, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos ordered a review of minimum wage rates in every region. — VDV, GMA Integrated News