SENATORIAL bet and Bayan Muna Chairperson Neri Colmenares on Sunday challenged all candidates to make a clear stand on various labor issues.

Colmenares particularly cited issues on wages, pensions and job security.

“What is their stand on our workers demand for a P750 national minimum wage? I believe we should consider raising wages not only to help our workers but as a way out of the current economic slump,” he said.

The former lawmaker stressed that the government should look at wage hikes as a way to pump prime the economy.

“With higher wages, our workers can buy more, thereby contributing to increased economic activity. And with increased demand due to higher purchasing power, other industries can scale up their operations to meet the higher demand of consumers,” he said.

He added that it is time to have a national minimum wage.

“We need to keep wages at equal levels across the country to ensure equal pay for equal work and so that all workers are able to cope with the high cost of living,” he said.

“What is their stand on increasing pensions? May utang pang P1,000 increase para sa mga SSS members. Dapat ibigay ito dahil masyadong maliit ang natatanggap ng mga pensioners,” Colmenares said.

“What is their stand on the contractualization of labor? Dapat ihinto na ito. It is highly abusive and undermines workers bargaining power,” he added.