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3.1 Low-wage workers in the US hit by COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on low-wage workers in the United States. According to a study by the Economic Policy Institute, an estimated 5.1 million low-wage workers in the US have been laid off or furloughed since the start of the pandemic. This represents nearly one-third of the total number of workers affected by the crisis. Additionally, the pandemic has further highlighted the need for a national minimum wage increase. Currently, the federal minimum wage in the US is $7.25 an hour, which is well below the poverty line for many families. The effects of the pandemic have also highlighted the need for additional measures to protect vulnerable workers, such as paid sick leave and hazard pay.
THE HOUSE of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a measure seeking a P200 across-the-board minimum wage hike for workers in the private sector, despite concerns over its potential inflationary effects and adverse impact on small businesses.
In May, inflation-adjusted wages were 17.6% to 25.3% lower than the current daily minimum wages across the regions in the country. Meanwhile, in peso terms, real wages were lower by around P71.74 to P132.07 from the current daily minimum wages set by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.
At President Trump’s direction, Congress is considering proposals to exempt tips from taxable income. After Trump floated this gimmick on the campaign trail, Republican and Democratic elected officials alike have embraced the idea. The House Republican budget bill (H.R. 1) includes a “no tax on tips” provision that gives the illusion of helping lower-income workers—while…
The debate over the proposed P100 or P200 minimum wage hike has reignited familiar objections from business groups, a number of economists, and the government’s economic managers themselves. “[Enterprises] may increase prices of goods and/or services, reduce their workforce, or worse shut down operations altogether, affecting both employees and the broader economy,” according to a […]
On July 1, the minimum wage will increase in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, D.C.—lifting wages for more than 880,000 workers and collectively raising their earnings by more than $397 million (see Figure A). In addition to these two states and D.C., 12 cities and counties are also increasing their minimum wage this summer, including Chicago,…
MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS in Metro Manila are getting a P50 daily wage increase — the highest pay hike ever granted by the National Wages and Productivity Commission — starting July 18, the Labor department said on Monday. The raise would benefit about 1.2 million workers in the Philippine capital and nearby cities and provinces, the […]