Labor group to file wage hike petition

CEBU, Philippines - The Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) is set to file a wage hike petition tomorrow or on Friday.

APL chairman Jose Tomongha told The Freeman that they will ask for over P100 across-the-board wage hike for all workers in Central Visayas.

The increase in Consumer Price Index, oil price and decrease in the purchasing power as among the reasons Tomongha has cited in their petition.

CPI is an inflationary indicator that measures the change in the cost of products and services, including housing, electricity, food and transportation.

Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) spokesperson Arturo Barrit said they are not yet filing any petition but are contemplating to file one within this quarter.

Lito Maderazo, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the issue now is not about minimum wage but about employment.

“Bisan minimum wage earner pa ang usa ka empleyado unya he or she is the only source of income of the family, still, it is not enough,” Maderazo said.

He said what is important now is employment generation by giving a conducive environment to investors.

“We have to be competitive from our neighboring Asian countries kay mahal na gani ang cost sa atong power unya magsige og saka ang sweldo, chances are daghang manira nga mga kompaniya unya ang mga investors ma- turned-off na,” said Maderazo.

He added that employment generation is more important rather than the need to increase the wages that will eventually result to unemployment. – (FREEMAN)