CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Major labor groups urged Congress to convene a special session and pass the long-delayed P200 legislated wage increase, warning that rising fuel prices and transport fare hikes—triggered by the Middle East conflict—now squeeze Filipino workers.

Labor groups are also pressing for urgent action on three fronts—relief, wages, and dialogue—with calls for expanded fuel subsidies, emergency assistance, immediate wage hikes, and a national summit to address the deepening impact of rising prices, said Jose Sonny Matula, president of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), in an interview with Gold Star Daily News on Thursday, March 19.

The National Wage Coalition (NWC)—a broad alliance composed of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (NAGKAISA!), and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)—made the call Wednesday as diesel prices surged past P100 per liter and gasoline climbed above P90 per liter in several areas of the country.

Read also: P1-P2 fare hike looming in Normin

Labor leaders said the spike in oil prices has already begun triggering higher transport fares and rising costs of basic commodities, putting additional pressure on millions of minimum wage earners.

“The economic shock is no longer imminent—it is already crushing Filipino workers,” the coalition said, noting that the surge in fuel prices is expected to ripple across the economy.

Recently, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) approved fare increases for passenger jeepneys and buses in Metro Manila.

The minimum fare for traditional public utility jeepneys will rise by P1 to P14, while fares for modern jeepneys will increase by P2 to P17.

Transport network vehicle services (TNVS) will also implement a higher flag-down rate, from P45 to P65.

Labor groups warned that these adjustments would trigger a “chain reaction” of rising expenses—from commuting costs to higher food prices—further eroding workers’ purchasing power.

Raymond Democrito Mendoza, TUCP party-list representative, said the continuing delay in approving the wage hike is becoming increasingly untenable.

“Diesel is now over P100 per liter—yet workers still haven’t received a P200 raise. What are we waiting for—$200 oil prices?” Mendoza said.

“As fuel, fares, and food costs climb, wages remain stuck. If workers are forced to work overtime just to survive, then Congress must be ready to do the same to pass this wage hike.”

Labor groups also pointed out that the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has allowed domestic shipping operators to raise passenger fares by up to 20 percent, further increasing the cost of travel for many Filipinos.

Wage relief sought

Jose Sonny Matula said the government has moved swiftly in approving fare adjustments for transport operators but has been slow in addressing workers’ wage demands.

“This imbalance is indefensible,” Matula said. “Government cannot move quickly for fare hikes while dragging its feet on wage relief.”

He added that while the government’s proposed P5,000 fuel subsidy for transport workers may provide temporary relief, it cannot replace long-term wage reforms.

“More than five million minimum wage earners are being left behind,” Matula said.

Expanding on earlier calls, Matula said labor groups are pushing for immediate relief measures, including fuel subsidies for transport workers, delivery riders, and digital platform workers, as well as emergency assistance to cushion the impact of rising oil, food, and electricity prices.

On wages, he reiterated the urgency of the P200 across-the-board increase, warning that rising oil prices are already pushing up the cost of basic goods and services.

“Without a wage increase, workers’ real income continues to shrink,” he said, adding that Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) can act motu proprio and issue wage orders even without a formal petition.

“Hindi na dapat maghintay,” Matula said.

He also called for long-term measures, including the immediate convening of a national summit through the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (NTIPC), inclusion of digital and platform workers in policy discussions, fair pricing mechanisms, and expanded social protection with shared responsibility from government and platforms.

“The situation is urgent. Prices are rising in real time, but worker protection is lagging behind,” he said.

Burden on workers

In a separate statement, the FFW acknowledged the need for transport fare adjustments due to rising fuel and operating costs but stressed that workers should not bear the brunt of the economic impact.

“Hindi puwedeng pataas ang pasahe at bilihin habang ang sahod ay kapos at nahuhuli,” the group said.

According to the federation, fare increases will add to the daily expenses of workers already struggling with rising prices of food, electricity, and other essential goods.

“Kung may pag-aadjust sa pasahe, dapat may pag-aadjust din sa sahod. Huwag hayaang laging manggagawa ang nag-aadjust,” the group added.

Call for wider support

The FFW also backed the call of DigitALL Workers Pilipinas–FFW to extend fuel subsidies and financial assistance to delivery riders and drivers in the gig economy, similar to aid provided to traditional transport sectors.

The labor group said expanding subsidy coverage would help cushion the impact of rising fuel costs on gig workers and other vulnerable sectors in the transport and delivery industries.

Balancing costs and wages

While recognizing the operational challenges faced by transport operators, labor groups emphasized that government policies must balance business sustainability with workers’ welfare.

“If Congress does not act now, it is effectively choosing to let millions of minimum wage earners absorb the full impact of this crisis,” the coalition said.

Labor leaders said passing the P200 legislated wage increase would provide immediate relief to workers facing a growing cost-of-living crisis.