TUCP faction seeks review of P30 pay hike

A faction of Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has asked the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) to review a recent decision granting Metro Manila workers a P30 cost-of-living allowance (Cola), saying the measly increase is not enough to meet a family’s daily needs.

In a memorandum of appeal, the TUCP faction headed by former Sen. Ernesto F. Herrera said the decision of the wage board of National Capital Region (NCR) to grant the P30 Cola was “contrary to law.”

TUCP General Secretary Jose P. Umali Jr. added that the NCR wage board also committed “grave abuse of discretion” in integrating the existing P22 Cola into the basic wage.

“Wage Order No. NCR-17 integrating the existing P22 Cola is grossly inadequate and does not conform with the criteria set by RA 6727 (the Wage Rationalization Act),” Umali said.

He said the wage board’s decision “grossly disregarded” the very spirit and intent of the Wage Rationalization Act.

Umali noted that the law expressly mandated that, in fixing minimum wages, wage boards should “ensure decent standard of living necessary for the health, efficiency and general well-being of employees.”

Minimum wages should be as “nearly adequate as is economically feasible to maintain the minimum standards of living,” he added.

The labor group also accused the NCR wage board of going “beyond its mandate” and issuing a “defective wage order” when it granted “wholesale exemptions.”

Umali noted that the wage board granted exemption to establishments with total assets of “not more than P3 million.

“This is contrary to law, the rules and NWPC’s Guidelines,” he said. –Philip C. Tubeza, Philippine Daily Inquirer