In lieu of wage hike workers urged: Be productive

CEBU, Philippines - Instead of asking for wage increase, workers should create their own value and aim to be more productive and efficient.

Philip Tan, president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that if a worker increases his or her own value, he or she becomes an asset to the company. He explained that if a worker is productive, additional income or bonuses will just come in.

"Ang problema gud sa atong nasud kay kaning mga tapulan mao ni ang kasagaran mangayo sigi og increase," Tan said.

This is the reason why, he said that most businessmen preferred the two-tiered wage system instead of favoring increases in the worker's minimum wage.

"Under this system, ang mga kugihan mas daku sila og madawat nga sweldo. So kadtong mga tapulan gamay ilang madawat nga sweldo. As of now, mahug man nga unfair kay ang kugihan ug tapulan mao ra ilang minimum wage," Tan added.

Robert Go, board of director of the Philippine Retailers Association-Cebu Chapter, said that what the country needs is productivity enhancement and incentive.

"We should follow the step of China, where economy is growing and enhance by government that wage increase by itself without mandated increase. There is short of supply in labor while demand for more employees because of export growth," Go said.

"Its economic suicide to increase P132.00 and destructive to whole labor system," said Go on the recent petition filed by the newly-formed Living Wage Coalition-Cebu last Friday.

Go said that the P132.00 across the board wage increase sought by the coalition is not appropriate for Central Visayas.

"It will distort the economy since mandated wage increase is not advisable. This will scare off potential investors which has already left for other countries and will further drive away some more,: Go added.

"Unemployment will surge and all new graduates will never get hired," he further said. — (FREEMAN)