Labor groups reiterate call for higher wages

CEBU, Philippines - Various labor organizations reiterated their call for a legislated wage increase following the recent report from the United Nations-International Labor Organization that the country’s wages for its workers are significantly smaller compared to other countries.

UN-ILO in its Global Wage Report 2012/12 said in the manufacturing sector, Filipino workers have the lowest wage among the 30 countries included in the said report.

The report added that the average salary in Denmark is $34.78 per hour but Filipino workers are only paid on the average of $1.41 per hour.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño said that this is a sad reality that has kept our workers’ productivity and income extremely low.

This shows, Casiño said, that the government via the regional wage boards has not favored the workers.

“It is still imperative to push for a legislated wage hike,” he said.

Dennis Derige, spokesman of the Partido ng Manggagawa-Cebu said that this is a sad reality brought about by the cheap labor policy of the state in order for Filipino workers to be competitive in the labor market.

With this, Derige said, our economy will never grow unless we put more money in the pockets of the workers.

He added that productivity will never increase for lack of skilled manpower that is overseas seeking higher pay.

Arturo Barrit, spokesman of the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said that workers continue to struggle for the recovery of the purchasing power of the peso and until now they are still continuously pursuing it.

“It is sad to say that management and the government are not interested in helping the so-called partners in production for their betterment,” Barrit said.

Jose Aaron Pedrosa, secretary-general of the Freedom from Debt-Coalition-Cebu, said that the report shows that wages have been nailed to unrealistic levels with the state giving primacy to investment and sacrificing the purchasing power of labor to guarantees super profits for business.

“It is high time for government to legislate wage increase in the context of so-called economic growth if only to translate that growth to improve quality of life for the workers, the backbone of our economy,” said Pedrosa. —/BRP (FREEMAN)