Employers seek modest wage hike

CEBU, Philippines — The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Central Visayas (RTWPB-7) will continue studying economic data and the performance of various industries before deciding on the amount of any minimum wage adjustment in the region.

RTWPB-7 chairperson and Department of Labor and Employment-Central Visayas (DOLE-7) Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe said this after the board conducted its first public hearing on a petition for a wage increase on Monday.

Buenafe said the initial hearing showed that the business sector did not express strong opposition to a possible wage adjustment, although employers stressed that any increase should remain manageable given the current economic situation.

“The enterprises, ang atong employers, dili gyud sila supak. But of course, we have to look at the data as well as our statistics so that we could arrive at a very good decision which is a win-win decision for both employers and the labor sector,” Buenafe said.

He said the board has yet to determine the amount of a possible increase, as it still needs to examine economic statistics and other indicators before arriving at a decision.

The board is looking at data from government agencies, including the Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Agriculture and Department of Energy, to assess the overall economic situation.

Buenafe said the board is also considering what he described as a “humanized” approach to wage determination, which takes into account the needs and circumstances of workers while also considering the position and capacity of employers.

“We have to look at it holistically,” Buenafe said.

He pointed out that the economic performance of industries in Central Visayas is not uniform, with some sectors performing well while others continue to face difficulties.

He cited the garments industry, which he said is dealing with high costs and significant retrenchment, resulting in weaker economic performance.

The board, he said, must balance the interests of workers and employers and ensure that any wage adjustment would not adversely affect the regional economy or contribute to inflationary pressures.

The first public hearing will be followed by another hearing in Dumaguete City on Tuesday, August 25, which will also cover Siquijor.

Buenafe said the additional hearing is being conducted even though only one public hearing is required because the area does not yet have a fully constituted Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.

After the public hearings, the board will proceed with its deliberations before deciding whether a wage adjustment should be granted and, if so, at what level.

Buenafe said the board could arrive at a decision by the third week of September.

Asked about the possible effect of the temporary restraining order involving a wage decision in Metro Manila, Buenafe said Central Visayas would have to be assessed separately because each region has its own economic conditions, productivity and labor needs.

“That is why dunay tay wage boards in every region, kay unique man gud ang kada region kung unsay ilang kahimtang,” he said.

Buenafe also said a wage increase could have an effect beyond individual workers, as additional income would circulate within the local economy.

He described this as a potential “domino effect,” as workers spend their additional income to meet their needs. — (FREEMAN)