RTWPB wants proof to warrant wage increase

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Regulatory Board has asked the Alliance of Progressive Labor for supporting documents to prove the group's claim that there is "supervening event" to consider the granting of workers' petition for P95 across-the-board wage increase.

This developed as 10 other workers' unions signed a position paper supporting the petition of APL. The position paper was attached to the APL documents as addendum.

The unions that support APL's petition are Tambuli Beach Club Employees Union, Cebu Beach Club Employees Union, London Biscuit Employees Organization, Norkis Free Independent Workers Union, among others.

Jose Tomongha, APL provincial chairman, said that the recent oil price hikes, peso's decreasing purchasing power, rising cost of basic goods, reformed value-added tax and inflation rate are among the reasons they cited in asking for a minimum wage increase. Presently, the minimum wage in Central Visayas stood at P223 a day.

But the RTWPB is not convinced that there are supervening events that would guarantee a wage increase.

Exequiel Sarcauga, board secretary, earlier said that the board could not disturb a wage order if it has not reached 12 months.

According to him, Wage Order No. 11 granting P15 increase on top of the minimum wage of workers in Central Visayas was issued on June 16, 2005, less than a year ago.

On February 27, APL, Employees Association of Robinson's Supermarket, Shemberg Employees Independent Union, Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa LBF Hardware, Kan-irag Employees Labor Organization and Public Interest Advocacy and Litigation Office submitted to the RTWPB a petition seeking for P95 adjustment in the minimum daily wage in the region.

In their petition, the workers said that since the P15 wage adjustment took effect last year, there are supervening events that warrant and justify the review of the existing wage structure and issuance of the new wage order.

Tomongha said they are expecting that the RTWPB will consider their petition and schedule a public hearing soon, with the recent announcement of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that granting of wage increase will depend on the regional wage boards.

In her Labor Day message last Monday, Arroyo announced that it is up to the regional wage boards to decide on the labor sector's long-standing demand for wage increase.

The chief executive also presented a package of benefits to the labor workforce, including scholarships, income tax exemption for minimum wage earners, and government health insurance and pension plans for farm workers, fishermen, street vendors and tricycle drivers.

But Tomongha said that they were already expecting Arroyo's announcement of wage adjustment, adding that the package of benefits that she promised are just for "pogi points" because she has been pressured by the workers. - Wenna A. Berondo