Wage boards to look into pay hike bids

Workers nationwide may have to wait for a while to get a much-needed salary hike.

The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) yesterday reported that wage boards will look into any wage petition, but it will have to go through the regular process of minimum wage fixing.

Esther Guirao, NWPC deputy executive director, said the different wage boards are mandated under the law to conduct deliberations and public hearings upon receiving a formal petition for salary hike.

“It’s the right of the workers to seek a wage increase based on the prevailing economic conditions in the country, but the board will have to abide by the rules on minimum wage fixing,” she said.

Guirao said though that the different wage boards have yet to receive any formal petition for salary increase, although the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines has declared plans to file wage petitions soon.         – Mayen Jaymalin