Labor groups halt wage hike petition

CEBU, Philippines - The Living Wage Coalition has deferred its plan to petition for a P175 minimum wage increase pending review of the amount of Cost of Living Allowance granted by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board last March 21.

Jose Tomongha, chairman of the Alliance of Progressive Labor and one of the members of the coalition, said they have decided to wait for the result of the review scheduled on September 21.

“We have agreed that we will defer first our petition pending the outcome and inputs of the P13 per day COLA, which will be reviewed on September 21 this year,” Tomongha said.

Labor leaders in Cebu has agreed three weeks ago the need to file another petition for wage increase. According to the labor groups, the presence of “supervening condition” should warrant an increase of the minimum wage. 

Tomongha, who is also one of the labor representatives to the wage board, said that the coalition agreed to ask for P175 increase of the daily wage for all workers in Central Visayas.

The coalition is composed of more than 40 labor organizations and unions. It was created last year when they sought a P132 increase of the daily wage for workers in the region.

However, the RTWPB-7 only granted a P13 COLA which took effect last March 21. The amount, however, is subject to review by the board six months after its implementation. (FREEMAN)