RTWPB to tackle P100 wage hike push today

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board will convene tomorrow to discuss the P100 across-the-board increase in daily wages for workers in Central Visayas that was demanded by the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines last week.

RTWPB acting chairman Exequiel Sarcauga said the board will convene to assess the so-called supervening conditions that would merit another round of wage increase considering that the board had just approved a wage increase last September.

Wage boards are not allowed to adjust worker’s salaries for a year after the last increase unless they find “supervening” conditions that would merit wage adjustments.

In their five-page petition, ALU-TUCP said increasing wages was needed to aid workers to cope with rising costs of fuel, fare and basic commodities.

The petition added said that wage adjustments should be across-the-board and not benefit only those receiving minimum wage since everyone suffers from the rising costs of basic commodities and fuel.

But businessman Eric Mendoza, president of Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that the said petition must be studied carefully.

“The wage increase will just be passed on the prices of goods once increase is effected. It’s inflationary in the long term,” he said.

Mendoza added that big increases in wages pose the threat of more layoffs.

Businessman Robert Go, director of the Philippine Retailers Association-Cebu also said an increase in wages further prevents unemployed from getting jobs especially now that we have a large and increasing number of unemployed.

“It’s getting more difficult to find a job. It’s even getting difficult to start a business. Small and medium enterprises cannot afford to raise wages. What is more important is more job availability so that more people can eat. Less poverty, less hunger, less violence and burglary,” Go added.  (FREEMAN)