Dumaguete bizmen agree to P14 wage hike, not P75

Businessmen in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental reiterated a collective stand to never give in to the P75 wage hike petitioned by the Alliance of Progressive Labor and other labor groups, saying they could only afford to give a P14 increase due to the seven percent inflation rate.

This was learned from Department of Labor and Employment regional director Elias Cayanong, who in an interview yesterday, said that consultations on the wage issue has already started in Negros Oriental last June 15.

Cayanong confirmed that the different sectors have not yet agreed with the amount of the increase as each sector defended its own interests.

Labor groups continued to push for a P75 hike. Some even opted for the legislated wage hike pushed by the House of Representatives, where a P45 increase would be implemented this year, P40 next year, and another P40 in 2008.

Minimum wage in Negros Oriental now stands at P200 a day.

Likewise, businessmen in Siquijor who were also invited during last Thursday's consultation, expressed they would want to give an increase which is lesser than the amount petitioned by the labor groups. They, however, did not give a specific figure.

Although there has been no agreement yet, Cayanong revealed that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board has given itself one month to make a decision. He said consultations are still going to be conducted in the different parts of the region before the public hearing, which was set on July 6 here in Cebu. Consultations in Bohol would start on June 22.

APL filed the wage hike petition on February 23 of this year claiming that there have been "supervening events" that would justify a new wage order since the P15 minimum wage increase last June 15 of last year. The wage hike petition was then supported by various labor groups such as the Tambuli Beach Club Employees Union, Cebu Beach Club Employees Union, London Biscuit Employees Organization, and Norkis Free Independent Workers, among others. The petition was asking for a P95 across-the-board increase in the minimum wage.

The labor groups are optimistic that the board would grant their demand for wage increase even if it would not be the exact amount that they are asking. Minimum wage in Cebu City currently stands at P223 a day. - Noreen B. Napoles