Labor Day wage hike not likely

WORKERS may not expect a wage increase in time for Labor Day because the wage boards need at least three weeks to decide on the higher pay petitions, an official said Tuesday.

But President Gloria Arroyo promised a P200-million livelihood-assistance package for labor groups following her luncheon meeting at the Palace with some 50 labor leaders, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said.

At least P40 million of that amount will be distributed to 2,000 labor groups during a jobs and livelihood fair at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on May 1, he said, adding some 80,000 jobs would be offered at the fair.

“It was a good and cordial meeting. We told them [labor leaders] that the seven wage petitions being discussed by the regional tripartite boards might not be decided on by Labor Day,” Roque said.

“We are trying to come up with [a non-wage package] by May 1. The President will definitely deliver a message.”

Earlier, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines said many companies—including the small and medium enterprises that make up the bulk of Philippine business—were still nursing their ventures back to health following the global economic crisis.

Group president Edgardo Lacson said non-wage benefits were preferable to pay increases, which many businesses might not be able to afford and could force them to close.

The minimum daily wage in Metro Manila is P382 for non-agricultural workers and P345 for all others.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines is petitioning for a 75-peso wage increase in Metro Manila, and an integration of the cost-of-living allowance into the basic wage.

In Zamboanga, the Philippine Integrated Industries Labor Union wants a 50-peso hike, while 10 labor unions are asking for an increase of P128.60 in the minimum wage in Cebu.

In Eastern Visayas, the Trade Union of Filipino Workers filed for a 50-peso wage increase, while the TUCP-led labor groups in Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan are seeking a 65-peso raise.

The left-leaning Kilusang Mayo Uno [May First Movement] slammed the trade groups that attended Tuesday’s meeting with Mrs. Arroyo.

“Those labor leaders who shared the dining table with the most corrupt President should be condemned by workers to hell,” group chairman Elmer Labog said in a statement.

“How could they eat with labor’s number-one enemy even as millions of workers can barely have a decent lunch?

“Something’s definitely cooking at the Malacañang lunch today. They are probably concocting a measly bonanza for Labor Day in an effort to douse the growing discontent of Filipino workers.”

Last year, Mrs. Arroyo unveiled a package of non-wage benefits for state workers, including shuttle services and more scholarships for the children and siblings of government employees.

The regional wage boards started setting the minimum wages in 1989 with the passage of Republic Act 6727. Congress set the minimum wages before that. Joyce Pangco Pañares, with Vito Barcelo, Manila Standard Today