Workers in Regions 6, 10 seeking wage hikes, too

MANILA, Philippines - Workers in Northern Mindanao (Region 10) and Western Visayas (Region 6) are also demanding wage hikes.

Nicon Fameronag, Department of Labor and Employment spokesman, said the new petitions brought to four the total number of wage hike petitions filed before the different wage boards nationwide.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), the country’s largest labor group, filed the first petition seeking a P85 increase in the daily pay of minimum wage earners in Metro Manila.

TUCP’s affiliate union in Southern Mindanao followed by filing a petition demanding a P80 wage hike for workers in the region.

Fameronag said the wage board in Northern Mindanao where workers are seeking a P88 pay increase has completed wage consultations while the one in Southern Mindanao is evaluating the petition.

In Western Visayas, the Philippine Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Workers’ Union-TUCP yesterday filed a petition seeking to increase the present wage by P113.57 for commercial and industrial workers, P100.45 for workers in plantations with more than 24 hectares, and P96.35 for workers in plantations with less than 24 hectares.

The current daily minimum wage in Region 6 is P277 for industrial and non-agricultural workers of companies with more than 10 employees, and P235 for those employed in companies with less than 10 workers.

Workers in the agriculture sector employed in plantations get P245, while non-plantation workers receive P235.

The last wage increase of P12 for Region 6 workers took effect on April 1, 2012. In 2011, workers were granted a P12 emergency cost of living allowance for three months.

– With Danny Dangcalan