Act on wage petitions, workers anti-poverty council urges wage boards

Manila (June 3) — The Formal Labor and Migrant Workers Council of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (FLMW-NAPC) passed a resolution recently urging the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards to immediately act on petitions of wage increases filed by labor groups early this year.

The Resolution reiterates the call of labor and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s instruction to DOLE and the RTWPBs to hasten the resolution of pending wage petitions the soonest possible time.

“Speed up the process of deliberations and issue new wage orders granting across-the-board and nationwide increases which will allow increased real wages, ensure fair share in the country’s income and wealth, and address chronic inequities in the country,” FLWM-NAPC says.

TUCP and other labor organizations filed formal wage petitions around March 2010 seeking P75 to P100 across-the-board increases for workers in many regions.

“Workers’ wages have fallen much, much behind increasing prices of commodities and cost of living, and that many more households are failing to meet the basic needs of their families. Raised wages would help address this. At the same time, it will also contribute to rising local demand for goods and services, and would further stimulate economic activity,” say FLWM-NAPC Sectoral Representative Rafael Mapalo.

The Council, likewise, urges the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to act on the necessary appropriation with regard to the third tranche of Salary Standardization Law Part 3 (SSL3) for government employees effective fiscal year 2011.

The FLMW-NAPC is composed of 25 members representing national and regional organizations of private and public and migrant workers. (FLWM-NAPC/PIA-Surigao del Norte)