RTWPB-7 labor rep pushes for all CV workers’ COLA

CEBU, Philippines - Labor representatives to the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board-7 will push for the inclusion of minimum wage earners excluded from receiving the P13 per day Cost of Living Allowance benefits stipulated under Wage Order VII-18.

Jose Tomongha, labor representative to the RTWPB-7, said that this will be in the agenda that will be tackled during their meeting this Thursday.

“We will push nga kadtong mga workers nga gi-exempt under Wage Order VII-18 maapil na sila sa amendment sa maong wage order,” said Tomongha yesterday.

Under the order, (Providing for Cost of Living Allowance for Private Sector Workers in Central Visayas), there is no increase in the minimum wage rates due to two major calamities in Bogo City and in the towns of San Remigio, Medellin, Tabuelan, Tabogon, Tuburan, Daanbantayan, Sogod, Borbon, and the towns in Camotes group of islands and in Bantayan island, as well as in Bohol pro-vince.

Bohol was devastated by the magnitude 7.1 earthquake last October 15 while Bogo City and the northern Cebu towns mentioned were severely hit by super typhoon Yolanda last November 8.

“Kaning mga lugar nga gipan- exempt mao ni ang buot nga maapil na sila sa amendment sa maong wage order,” Tomongha said.

The wage board has agreed last week that the P13 per day COLA, which was implemented last March 21, 2014, would form part of the minimum wage earner’s basic pay.

The wage board secretariat, however, still has to schedule a public hearing on this matter before the amended wage order is implemented.  (FREEMAN)