MANILA, Philippines — A labor group criticized Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. over his remarks about a “consumption culture” among Filipinos, saying workers should not be blamed for spending on basic necessities.
In a statement Monday, Nagkaisa said food, transportation, electricity and medicine should not be considered excessive consumption, particularly for workers whose income may not last until payday.
Remolona made the remarks during a Senate finance committee hearing on Aug. 27 in a discussion on the peso, national savings and the country’s current-account position.
The BSP governor raised the need to increase national savings and discussed consumption and the current-account position as part of longer-term economic concerns.
Nagkaisa said that workers should not be blamed for spending on basic necessities.
“Food, transportation, electricity and medicine are not a ‘consumption culture.’ That is survival,” the labor group said in Filipino and English.
Nagkaisa also questioned the focus on workers’ spending while raising concerns about wages and the ability of employees to meet their daily needs.
The group called on the Senate and House of Representatives to pass a P200-per-day wage increase nationwide.
“If we want workers to be able to save, we should first give them wages that leave something after they have paid for their living expenses,” Nagkaisa said in Filipino.
The labor coalition also cited the additional wage increase under Wage Order No. NCR-27, which it said remains subject to a regional trial court injunction.
Nagkaisa said workers need sufficient income to meet basic expenses and have money left for savings.
