The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and labor groups welcomed the move to give a one-time financial assistance to workers getting a monthly salary of PHP23,000 below.

“Off the cap, any plan that will alleviate the plight of the workers and their families is worthy of serious consideration and support,” DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said in a phone interview Thursday, referring to the plan of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to give a one-time cash aid worth PHP5,000 to private sector employees.

The labor sector has also supported the program.

“Any effort to survive the inability of workers’ take-home pay to cope with the ever-increasing impact of inflation is welcome,” Kilusang Mayo Uno chair Elmer Labog said in a statement.

However, the one-time aid does not mean that workers won’t need salary increase anymore.

“Workers’ income should immediately be augmented with a substantial wage hike as the measly wage adjustments are not sufficient to save workers, in general, against the ever-increasing quicksand of poverty,” Labog added.

“That’s a good plan and we support it. This will be helpful to workers that are having difficulties in coping with the high cost of living,” Partido Manggagawa chairperson Rene Magtubo said.

The fund for the cash aid to be given under the DSWD’s Ayuda sa Kapos sa Kita Program is included in the 2024 national budget. (PNA)