The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) on Thursday slammed the proposed P20 minimum wage hike by employers, saying the amount was “demeaning” for ordinary workers in Metro Manila.

The labor group stressed the P20 minimum pay increase is an amount far lower than their proposed P334 increase for Metro Manila workers, whose purchasing power went down amid rising inflation.

“The offer is demeaning,” said ALU-TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay on radio. “That proposal is not what we wanted for Metro Manila workers.”

Tanjusay noted it was the Employers Confederation of the Philippines who floated the proposed P20 minimum wage hike after employers warned excessively increasing the minimum wage may have adverse effects to them as they are also hit by the rising inflation.

The spokesman noted the union stands by its calculations, which they claim are from government data. He also said they would continue to fight for an additional P334 on the minimum wage.

Employers and labor leaders are set to meet on Friday for the third and final consultation of the National Wages and Productivity Commission.