Southern Mindanao workers demand P125 wage increase

DAVAO CITY — The labor sector in Southern Mindanao refuses to settle for less than the P125 across-the-board increase in the daily minimum wage it has demanded from the regional tripartite wage and productivity board.

Felixberto Irag, regional secretary-general of the Kilusang Mayo Uno, said they are pressing hard for the P125 wage increase for private sector workers and P3,000 monthly wage adjustment for government employees.

"We cannot accept less than these amounts," Irag said.

The regional wage board is still debating the amount of increase it would grant workers amid strong opposition from employers who have been demanding a moratorium on wage adjustment, citing their tremendous losses due to the existing economic slowdown.

Irag said KMU-affiliated labor groups here are slated to go "caroling" in the homes of local politicians to "educate" them on the need to increase the wages of workers.

"The caroling is meant to educate our politicians on the plight of the workers who are earning meager incomes that push them further down the poverty line," he said.

Various business groups in the region said the workers’ demand could not be granted although the regional wage board is still working out an acceptable compromise between the two parties.

Manuel Roldan, Region 11 director of the Department of Labor, said the wage board has to consider the increasing number of companies in Southern Mindanao that have closed shop due to the global economic crisis. — Edith Regalado