“Supervening conditions” requisite for wage hike petition

CEBU, Philippines - Before any wage hike petition would be entertained, “supervening conditions” has to be declared before the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-7.

Although the wage adjustment petition will be part of the agenda during the RTWPB-7 monthly meeting next Thursday, labor representative to the wage board Jose Tomongha said supervening conditions still has to be stated.

The presence of supervening conditions, said Tomongha, has to be declared first by the RTWPB-7 as this would be the basis whether to grant any wage increase considering that the board is barred to entertain wage hike petitions as of the moment.

The last wage hike adjustment took effect last December 8, 2012 for Central Visayas and under the rules, wage boards are not allowed to adjust worker’s salaries for a year after the last increase unless they find “supervening conditions.”

These conditions include the increase in the prices of basic commodities, fuel, power, inflation rate, consumer price index, among others.

“We are confident nga naa gyuy supervening conditions. We have to file the petition kay uwahi na kaayo ta sa Manila,” said Tomongha.

Two months ago, Metro Manila was granted a P10 increase of the workers minimum wage.

Recently, various labor groups under the Living Wage Coalition-Cebu filed for a P132 per day, across the board wage adjustment which they will further discuss during their next meeting, said Tomongha.

The coalition cited in their petition that if the demand for a P132 across the board wage adjustment will be granted to the present minimum wage of P347, it will only raise the minimum wage to P459 per day in Metro Cebu which is far below from the living wage of P725 per day as noted by the National Economic Development Authority. — (FREEMAN)