ALU hold consultations on wage hike

CEBU, Philippines - The country's biggest labor union, the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Congress Union of the Philippines is still having a series of consultations with regards to their plan to seek for a wage hike.

Josefina Lim, ALU-TUCP spokeswoman told The FREEMAN yesterday that after the consultations they will file the petition either this week or early next week.

 Lim said they are planning to file a wage petition varying from P50 to P70 across the board in all regions.

The Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board, meanwhile, is currently evaluating the P128.60 wage increase petition filed by at least 11 workers groups and unions, which compose the Cebu Labor Coalition (CELAC).

The RTWPB-7 headed by Department of Labor and Employment regional director Elias Cayanong said that the board will be looking closely into the petition and come up with the result of their evaluation in 15 days.

The board has their first meeting regarding the CELAC petition last September 24, 2009.

The RTWPB has yet to verify the facts and figures presented by the CELAC to determine if there is reason for them to grant the increase.

Robert Go, owner of Prince Warehouse Club and director of the Philippine Retailers Association earlier said that asking for 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/BRP