Labor coalition set to file wage hike petition

CEBU, Philippines - The Coalition for Living Wage is expected to file this week a petition for a salary increase for workers in Central Visayas.

CLW spokesperson Metudio Belarmino said the petition was supposed to be filed last week but they had to wait for more data and gather additional documents.

CLW is composed of 18 labor organizations.

CLW has protested the decision of the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board -7 to grant a P13.00 daily Cost of Living Allowance in lieu of an increase in basic pay. The COLA was granted last February 14.

The new wage order, Wage Order No. VII-18 (Providing for Cost of Living Allowance for Private Sector Workers in Central Visayas), took effect last March 21.

Under the order, the adjustments shall apply to all minimum wage private sector workers and employees in the region, regardless of their petition, designation or status of employment and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid.

It also said that the grant of COLA shall be subject to review after six months.

The order also stipulates that there shall be no increase in minimum wage rates in Bogo City and in the towns of San Remigio, Medellin, Tabuelan, Tabogon, Tuburan, Daanbantayan, Sogod, Borbon, Camotes Island and Bantayan Island, as well as in Bohol, because of the recent calamities that struck these areas, namely the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in October and super typhoon Yolanda in November 2013, respectively.

But the order also stipulates exemptions, including distressed establishments, new business enterprise, and retail/service establishments employing not more than 10 workers and establishments affected adversely by natural calamities.

But Belarmino contended a wage increase would be more beneficial to the workers in these areas.

The coalition has filed a wage hike petition last September 27 for a P132 increase in wage per day while the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines is pushing for a P90 increase in the daily wage.

The two labor representatives to the wage board have expressed dissent over the COLA order. Atty. Ernesto Carreon, legal counsel of ALU-TUCP, said the minimal COLA granted is quite insufficient to restore the eroded minimum wage rate. (FREEMAN)