Government Opts for Living Wage Over P4,000 Minimum
The government has declined to implement a P4,000 basic minimum wage, a proposal put forth by public service unions. Instead, authorities are moving forward with a living wage package. This decision marks a departure from a previous election manifesto commitment focused on improving the remuneration of the lowest-paid public servants.
Official Explanation for the Decision
Gaone Macholo, the Director of the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM), provided clarification on the government’s stance. The focus is now on a comprehensive living wage approach, rather than a fixed minimum wage figure of P4,000 as requested by the unions.
Implications for Public Servants
This development suggests a different strategy for addressing public sector compensation. While unions had advocated for a specific minimum, the government’s living wage package will likely introduce a broader set of considerations for employee remuneration. The details of this living wage package are expected to outline how the government plans to uplift public servants’ incomes and address their cost of living.
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