TUCP party-list rep calls for review of wage

More than a year after the last wage, a labor party-list solon has called for a quick review of existing wage rates.

The labor solon stressed that it is now time to review whether existing minimum wage rates are enough to cope with prices of commodities.

TUCP party-list representative Raymond Mendoza said that wage boards should already conduct research and public consultations to find out whether salaries, particularly those of minimum wage earners, are enough to afford them even the basic requirements.

Mendoza stressed it has been a year the wage boards, composed of representatives from government, business, and labor, last ordered increases in the salaries of minimum wage earners.

Mendoza also said that wage boards should not wait for labor groups to file petitions as they are empowered by law to review and order appropriate wage orders on their own.

Republic Act 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act which was passed in 1989 provides that the wage boards can grant increase moto proprio.

Mendoza also disclosed that most of the 16 regional wage boards issued wage orders last year, mostly increases and integration of cost-of-living allowances (COLA).

The highest increase was granted in the National Capital Region (NCR) consisting of P15 basic wage and a P5 COLA.

The NCR wage board issued the order on June 14, 2008 and the rest followed suit a few days later.