Workers’ livelihood package unwrapped

Instead of a wage increase, a package of jobs and livelihood is what President Arroyo will unwrap today as the nation marks Labor Day.

President Arroyo is supportive of the labor sector’s plea for an increase in the minimum daily wage but she has to let the regional boards do their job, Palace spokesman Charito Planas said on Friday.

President Arroyo can use her moral suasion through government representatives in the board for the early resolution of pending wage hike petitions, Planas said.

Labor groups are asking for a P75-increase in the minimum daily wage in Metro Manila from P382 for non-agricultural workers and P345 for all other workers.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines is also seeking an integration of the cost-of-living allowance into the basic wage.

The President will lead the Labor Day celebration with the simultaneous launching of jobs and livelihood fairs in Metro Manila, with the biggest to be held at the SMX convention center at the Mall of Asia.

Following a meeting with labor leaders, President Arroyo earlier promised a P200-million livelihood-assistance package as part of the non-wage benefits for the workers.

Malacañang said the jobs fair will offer about 82,000 openings for local and overseas positions.

The government will also distribute livelihood checks from the Department of Labor-National Capital Region, scholarship certificates fro the Technical Education Skills Development Authority, and raffle off a housing unit from the Pag-IBIG fund.

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, Undersecretary Lourdes Trasmonte, Democrito Mendoza of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Allan Montano of the Federation of Free Workers, Willy Pulia of the Alliance of Free Workers, as well as Teresita Sy Coson of SM Malls Corp., and Ernest Cu, president of Globe Telecoms Philippines will join Mrs. Arroyo at the launching ceremony. –Roy Pelovello, Manila Standard Today