Wage hike within 30 days?

Workers in Metro Manila are likely to receive the much awaited salary hike within 30 days.

Acting Labor Secretary Manuel Imson said the Regional Tripartite Wages Productivity Board (RTWPB) in the National Capital Region is currently deliberating on pending wage hike petitions and may possibly render decision next month.

"RTWPB is thoroughly studying the basis of the petitions, and I assure the public that there will be a decision in a month’s time as required by law," Imson said.

The Labor chief added employers are required to provide financial relief to their workers 15 days after the publication of the new wage order issued by the RTWPB.

The other day, when the Wage Board in NCR convened a public hearing on the pending salary hike petitions, workers belonging to the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) asked for the immediate restoration of their lost purchasing power.

The workers also demanded a "just share" in the economic growth of the region, which recorded 4.1 percent growth or P300 billion.

TUCP is calling for a P75 across-the-board wage hike while other labor unions want between P65 to P70 adjustment in the daily take home pay of workers in the region. The current daily minimum wage in the region is P280.

But RTWPB chair Ciriaco Lagunzad said the board will base its decision on the economic needs of the workers and the capacity of employers to pay a wage hike.

"We will take into consideration both the need of workers and capacity of employers to make a rational decision," Lagunzad stressed.

Aside from Metro Manila, RTWPBs from seven other regions are also deliberating over petitions for wage hike. – Mayen Jaymalin