City dad expects firms to close shop if P150 wage hike is pushed

The chairman of City Council committee on labor of the strongly believes that many of the businessmen here could not afford to grant the P150 daily wage increase to their workers as demanded by the labor sector.

Councilor Eduardo “Edu” Rama expects that many of the businessmen would be forced to fold up, while others may be compelled to retrench workers if such wage demand would be approved.

But the young councilor pointed out that he supports the call for a wage increase because of the rising prices of basic commodities, particularly rice and other food products.

Members of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board are expected to convene anytime from now to discuss the petition coming from the labor sector demanding for another wage adjustment.

The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines had filed for a P150 daily wage increase so laborers would be able to cope with the soaring prices of prime commodities.

But some employers in Cebu have reportedly suggested that instead of granting additional wage adjustment to workers, it would be “better to give them incentives believing that the prices of commodities will go back to normal.”

In an inquiry made on some of the establishments in the downtown area of the city, it was learned that many workers are not given the salary prescribed by law.

“Unsaon man god nga kon moreklamo ta, taktakon man daton ta. Lisod kaayo mangita’g trabaho ron kay manaktak pa man gani,” a bazaar employee said.

Meanwhile, a Chinese employer explained to The FREEMAN on why he could not give the minimum wage to his workers. “Hinay man god kaayo ang among negosyo, alkanse man. Kon pugson mi, maypa’g manira na lang mi,” he said. — Rene U. orromeo/MEEV