Labor groups set lightning rally today

CEBU, Philippines - Various labor groups under Nagkaisa! are set to hold a lightning rally today as the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-7 conducts a public consultation on the wage hike petitions.

"The rally aims to put pressure for the wage board to issue a wage order," said Michael Valle, secretary-general of the Alliance of Progressive Labor-Visayas.

Members of Nagkaisa! which includes the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, APL, Partido ng Manggagawa, National Federation of Labor and other independent labor unions and organizations have agreed yesterday during their meeting for the holding of the said rally.

APL-Visayas chairman Jose Tomongha, one of the labor representatives to the wage board, said that today's public consultation is their last of the four series.

RTWPB-7 have already conducted public consultations in Tagbilaran City, Bohol last January 9 and January 23 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental and in Siquijor.

"Based on these three public hearings, ni-opposed gyud ang business sector. We are expecting also that in Cebu, the business sector will also oppose," said Tomongha.

Tomongha maintained that the worker's wages need an adjustments.

The Living Wage Coalition, whose members are the same to that of Nagkaisa! asked RTWPB-7 for a P132 daily wage increase for all workers in Central Visayas last October.

ALU-TUCP also filed a separate petition asking for a P90 daily wage hike for workers in the region.

Various business chambers have asked for a moratorium for any wage increase in Region VI, VII and VIII after super typhoon Yolanda left these areas severely devastated. — (FREEMAN)