Wage increase petition being studied closely

CEBU, Philippines – The regional wage board is currently evaluating the P128.60 wage increase petition filed by at least 11 workers groups and unions, which compose the Cebu Labor Coalition (CELAC).

Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board chairman Elias Cayanong said that the board had its first meeting yesterday to discuss the petition, which they will be looking into closely and come up with the result of their evaluation in 15 days.Cayanong said he does not want to preempt the decision of the board and for the meantime, they will be verifying the facts and figures presented by the CELAC to determine if there is reason for them to grant the increase.

In a press conference lately, the coalition headed by Jose Tomongha, chairman of the Alliance of Progressive Labor-Central Visayas, cited 11 grounds as their bases in seeking for a wage hike.These are insufficient wage increases from the past, the reduction of the purchasing power of the peso, unstable oil price, increases in the prices of basic commodities, consumer price index, inflation rate, the value of the current minimum wage of P267 has a purchasing power of only P16.00, reformed value added tax and hike in taxes, globalization effects, transportation fare increase and water and electric increases.The coalition stated that since 2008, prices of basic commodities soar up until now which has crippled the worker’s purchasing power and worsened by the inflation rate as well as shrinking the value of the peso.

It added that the organized labor demand for a P128.60 across the board wage adjustments in the minimum wage does not even live up to the constitutionally guaranteed living wage based on the index of the National Statistics Office wherein a family of six in the region should have P867 as of 2008 daily income in order to adequately meet their basic needs. — Jasmin R. Uy/WAB (THE FREEMAN)