Wage boards start working on reasonable pay hike

Amid the controversy over the P125 legislated wage hike pending in Congress, regional wage boards across the country are now working out a more reasonable increase in take-home pay of workers.

National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) chief Esther Guirao said the regional wage boards are currently monitoring the situation to provide the "win-win" options to resolve the current wage issue.

Guirao explained the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs), in setting the minimum wage, would take into consideration various socioeconomic indicators to ensure a fair and reasonable wage adjustment.

"The board are continually performing a delicate and difficult task of balancing the interests of workers and employers as well as the government," she said.

Guirao assured the boards will uphold the mandate of providing a decent standard of living for workers but also to ensure the survival and viability of business, particularly on small and medium enterprises.

Malacañang expressed confidence that the impasse between labor and business over the issue will soon be resolved by the forthcoming round of wage increases by the regional wage boards.

Reiterating Malacañang’s position against the P125 wage increase proposal in Congress, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye stressed the need to strike a balance in giving the workers their due compensation and protecting the viability of the employer, especially the small and medium firms.

"The spirit of common purpose and teamwork for the economy should be shouldered by all sectors across the nation; and we are confident that the labor and the business sectors, as well as the concerned institutions of the government, would be able to find a middle ground on wage issues," Bunye said.

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio had said President Arroyo would likely veto any legislated across-the-board bill approved by Congress for enactment once it reaches her desk.

In her New Year’s message, Mrs. Arroyo said she would rather push for the passage of the third Salary Standardization bill for government workers.

"The government has been steadfast in making sure that socioeconomic, non-wage benefits are fully extended to our workers through stable prices of basic commodities and enhanced social services," Bunye said. - with Paolo Romero