P334 wage hike for Metro Manila workers sought

MANILA, Philippines — Labor groups will file today a petition for P334 pay increase for Metro Manila workers before the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), an official said yesterday.

Alan Tanjusay, spokesman for the Associated Labor Unions, said they are seeking a wage increase to cope with the rise in oil prices as well as bus and jeepney fares.

“Last June, we filed a petition for P320 wage adjustment based on the 5.2 percent inflation rate. But the inflation rate reached 6.2 percent so we revised and raised it to P334,” Tanjusay said.

“We will submit to the wage board the amendment to our petition,” he added.

Tanjusay expressed hope that the RTWPB would grant the wage increase.

He noted that the buying power of the P512 daily minimum wage in the National Capital Region was equivalent to P363 in October 2017, and it further dropped to P340 this year.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said the RTWPB is set to hear the pending petition for wage increase.

He said the wage board would hold today a consultation with labor groups and would meet with employers on Oct. 24.

Bello earlier said the RTWPB was expected to issue a new wage order before the end of the month.

“Hopefully, we might be able to know the amount of wage increase by Oct. 26,” Tanjusay said.

The wage board in Davao recently granted a P56 increase in the daily take home pay of minimum wage earners in the region.