TUCP files P80 daily wage hike petition, RTWPB assures quick action

BAGUIO CITY, May 11 (PIA) – – The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) submitted a petition for an P80 increase on the daily wage of workers in the region during the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board meeting yesterday at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office.

According to RTWPB chairman and DOLE OIC regional director Atty. Sixto Rodriguez, the petition was signed by TUCP national president Democrito Mendoza.

In line with the directive of President Benigno Aquino III for fast actions against pending wage hike petitions nationwide, RTWBP will be convening an emergency meeting within this week or early next week to deliberate on the petition, Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez explained that one issue hindering the RTWBP from granting a wage hike order is the provision which states that the presence of a “supervening event,” would only warrant a second wage hike order within a one year period . A wage order increasing the daily cost of living allowance (COLA) of private workers in the region took effect only last January this year.

“The problem here is the declaration of a supervening event; although there are increases in prices of petroleum products, it has minimal effect on the price of basic commodities and other products,” Rodriguez said.

Meantime, in addressing the clamor of employees for a wage hike due to the increasing prices of fuel products, Rodriguez said the RTWBP is looking for other possible non-wage benefits or temporary relief or assistance for workers.

According to Rodriguez, with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as the lead agency, they are having consultations with the owners of establishments and retailers for a “Diskwento program,” for temporary discounts on products such as school supplies.

Rodriguez added that they are also considering to make a proposal to other agencies such as the Social Security System (SSS) and Philhealth on the possibility of giving a moratorium on the payments of loans or membership fee for workers. *( JDP/LD-PIA CAR)