Group defers wage hike petition

CEBU, Philippines - Petitioners have deferred their plan to file a wage hike petition and will instead wait until the end of the six-month period for the latest wage order to be reviewed.

Jose Tomongha, chairman of Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa-Visayas and one of the petitioners under the Living Wage Coalition, said yesterday that this was the agreement that they have reached with the coalition last week.

“We have decided nga amoa lang sa e-defer ang among tinguha sa pag-file og petisyon sa pagpasaka sa suhulan. Magpa-abot lang sa mi og six months kay i-review man to ang latest wage order,” said Tomongha, who is one of the labor representatives to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-7.

To recall, RTWPB-7 granted a P13 daily cost of living allowance (COLA) last February 14 that took effect on March 21 under the new Wage Order No. VII-18 or the Providing for Cost of Living Allowance for Private Sector Workers in Central Visayas.

It was stipulated in the Order that the granting of such allowance is subject to a review for six months after its implementation.

Tomongha said that during their May 29 meeting with the members of the wage board, it was also agreed that they will wait until September 21whether or not the P13 per day COLA will be incorporated in the basic pay.

Tomongha added that he also asked the wage board secretariat to provide the compliance rate of businesses in the region that have complied with the P13 per day COLA.

“So far, wa pa sila’y record sa compliance rate. Maybe next meeting namo on June 16, we can have the copy already,” he said.

The CLW has filed a P132 per day wage increase last September while the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines seek a P90 per day wage hike for all the workers in Region 7.

Tomongha said further that after September 21, they will review as to whether or not there is a need for another salary adjustment.  (FREEMAN)