No promise of wage hike in Bohol

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Workers in Bohol may have to wait until legislators and concerned agencies finish the comprehensive review of the Labor Code, which must have been obsolete by now.

German Guidaben of the provincial office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) explained that there has been no single consultation ever conducted in Bohol yet regarding the sought wage increase.

On the queries about the non-compliance of the minimum wage rate by local government units, especially on the rates for casual workers, Guidaben said that DOLE has no jurisdiction over LGUs except those "bodies created by LGUs that are not sanctioned by Congress."

Much as we wanted to help the employees of the LGUs, we are sorry to say that LGUs are not under DOLE's jurisdiction, which only covers private companies and all establishments created by LGUs.

DOLE mainly watches on the compliance of the labor laws by private companies, but Guidaben refused to elaborate on reports that some establishments in Bohol failed to implement the minimum wage as prescribed by law.

He explained though that DOLE just waits for any complaint lodged in their office regarding any violation of the Labor Code by companies, including the implementation of the minimum wage.

Guidaben admitted that DOLE had received complaints against some companies for failing to pay their workers the minimum salary rate. He said that the agency would conduct an inspection on this and, when a firm is found to have violated the law, then it is ordered to comply.

On the talks about "double payroll," Guidaben refused to comment but said he "could neither exactly explain nor determine what it is all about although he had heard some people mentioning it.

On the monthly salary rate of house helpers, Guidaben said the minimum rate now remains at P800, an amount that is apparently short to meet their needs.

"It would be disgusting to know that we continue revising the Labor Code because, as of now, the minimum salary rate for helpers in the province of Bohol remains at P800 a month. No one would accept P800 monthly pay these days. Even working students are receiving allowances that is more than P800 a month," Guidaben said. – THE FREEMAN