Board awaits wage hike nod

CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-7 yesterday forwarded to the National Wages and Productivity Board their Resolution on the P22.00 per day increase for the minimum wage earners in Central Visayas.

Jose Tomongha, one of the labor representatives to the board, said that it would take one to two weeks before the NWPB can confirm their resolution.

Once they have the confirmed resolution, this will be published in a newspaper of general circulation.

“Fifteen days after publication, that is when the new wage order will be implemented region-wide,” said Tomongha, who is also the chairman of the Alliance of Progressive Labor.

Various labor groups reacted that the increase in the worker’s daily wages is just a pittance amidst the rising cost of almost everything.

APL and its allied organizations asked for a P121.85 per day wage adjustment while the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines asked for a daily P94 wage increase for all the workers in Region VII but nevertheless opined that the P22/day for the minimum wage earners is much better that nothing.

Various business groups likewise opposed any wage increase but with the eventual implementation of the new wage order, they are predicting more retrenchment of employees and scaring potential investors. —/MIT (FREEMAN)