Labor coalition files wage hike petition

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Labor Coalition (CELAC) filed yesterday a petition for a P128.60 across-the-board wage increase for Central Visayas before the Regional Tripartite Wage Productivity Board.

This developed as the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines is set to file a similar petition but with a lower amount.

ALU-TUCP spokesperson Josefina Lim said they are planning to file a wage petition from P50 to P70 across-the-board next month.

Lim said that the National Statistical Coordinating Board recently came up with a position stating that there is a need to increase wages this year as more people are now languishing in poverty.

Last April, TUCP postponed its plan to petition for an annual wage hike because of the financial crisis.

"Now that there are signs of economic recovery, the TUCP, true to its commitment shall file petitions to increase wages and is now holding consultations with members and analyzing relevant economic data and will finalize the petition in two weeks time," Lim told The FREEMAN.

On the other hand, APL-Central Visayas chairman Jose Tomonga, who leads the coalition, has cited eleven grounds why they push for a wage increase. 

These grounds are the insufficient wage increases from the past, the reduction of the purchasing power of the peso, unstable oil price, increases in the prices of basic commodities, consumer price index, inflation rate, the value of the current minimum wage of P267 has a purchasing power of only P16, R-VAT and hike in taxes, globalization effects, transportation fare increase and water and electric increases.

CELAC is composed of APL, the Nagkakaisang Lakas ng Manggagawa-Katipunan, Shemberg Employees Independent Union, the Employees Association of Robinsons Supermarket, Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa LBF Hardware, Kan-Irag Employees Labor Organization, Bank of the Philippine Islands Cebu Employees Independent Union, Grand Majestic Convention Employees Union, Lonbisco Employees Organization, NUWHRAIN-Montebello Chapter and the Public Interest Advocacy and Litigation Office.

The coalition said the demand for a P128.60 across-the-board adjustments in the minimum wage does not live up to the constitutionally guaranteed living wage based on the index of the National Statistics Office, which said a family of six in the region should have a P867 daily income in order to adequately meet the basic needs.

Robert Go, owner of Prince Warehouse Club and director of the Philippine Retailers Association, said a wage hike at this time is untimely and will only add to the army of unemployed.

"It's an economic suicide to increase wages at this point," Go said. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM