TUCP tells BSP to leave wage issue to wage board

A DAY after insisting on their demand for a P75 adjustment in the minimum wage in Metro Manila, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines yesterday criticized the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for placing a ceiling of P25 in the possible wage adjustment.

BSP governor Amado Tetangco on Tuesday warned that a wage increase above P25 a day may push the inflation rate up and result in higher consumer prices.

In a phone interview, TUCP deputy spokesman Raffy Mapalo said the BSP has no business putting a limit to the possible wage adjustment that may be approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board National Capital Region.

“We think that wage determination is not BSP’s area of responsibility and competency. Let us leave that to the wage boards,” said Mapalo.

“If employers keep denying wage increases, workers’ conditions and living standards will never improve,” he said.

But Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang said the BSP’s inputs on the matter will be considered by the RTWPB NCR when it decides on the wage hike next week.

“We’re confident that wage boards will take into account BSP’s opinion when it rules on wage petitions,” Carandang said.

RTWPB NCR chairman Raymundo Agravante himself said there will be no more public hearings on TUCP’s petition and they are set to meet on Monday to deliberate on how much the new wage order will be.

A wage order will take effect within 15 days after publication in a national paper.

The last time wages were raised in Metro Manila was in July 2010 when P22 was added to the basic rate, bringing the minimum daily wage to P404.

The wage boards in Region 6 and 8 are also expected to come up with a wage order within the month while the other regional boards are still deliberating if supervening conditions exist in their areas to warrant a pay hike.– Gerard M. Naval and Jocelyn Montemayor, Malaya