ALU-TUCP insists: There's enough reason to warrant wage hike

CEBU, Philippines - The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines maintained that there is a supervening condition that justifies wage increase in Central Visayas.

ALU-TUCP legal chief Ernesto Carreon, one of labor representatives to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, cited the inflation rate and high prices of fuel as justifications to warrant a hike in wages.

The wage board earlier declared that there is no "supervening conditions" that would merit a wage increase in the region.

The RTWPB approved a wage increase in September 2010.

Under the rules, wage boards are not allowed to adjust salaries for a year after the last increase unless there are "supervening conditions.

But Carreon said a supervening condition exists since the inflation rate of 5.1 percent in Central Visayas is higher than the 4.1 percent in the National Capital Region.

Carreon also said the prices of fuel in the region are much higher than those of the NCR.

In a press conference yesterday, labor groups under the KANAMASO or the Kahugpungan sa Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Sugbo said workers in the region deserve a wage increase that those in neighboring regions are enjoying.

They expressed disgust at how the wage board is looking into the plight of the workers.

They said they are willing to go back to the streets if the board will not immediately address the concerns of the workers.

ALU-TUCP had filed a P100 across-the-board daily wage hike while the Alliance of Progressive Labor sought for a P120 across-the-board increase for workers in Central Visayas. – (FREEMAN)