DOLE: Increase in daily wage will be at least P15

CEBU, Philippines – Department of Labor and Employment-7 regional director Elias Cayanong yesterday assured employees in the private sector that the increase of their daily salary will not be less than P15.

But Cayanong refused to divulge the exact amount of the wage increase because it will be announced by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board next week.

Josefina Lim, the director of information and education department of the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines described the increase as “super gamay”.

Lim said the cost of living in Cebu City is much higher compared to Davao City in Region 11, but the RTWPB in that part of Mindanao has granted a P21 daily wage increase to their private sector workers.

Private employees in the National Capital Region have been granted a P22 daily wage hike.

The Cebu City Council earlier passed a resolution supporting the workers’ demand for a decent wage hike because of the increase in the prices of basic needs.

Cayanong did not say whether the forthcoming wage increase is across the board, meaning it is for all employees or it is only for those whose salaries are below the minimum.

The existing minimum wage for the employees in the first-class private establishments is P267.

It was learned that several companies in Cebu City and other cities of the region are not complying with the existing wage order issued last June 2009.

Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines condemned the wage increase moratorium as proposed by some sectors as the business sector said that increase in wages should be made by industry.

“A wage moratorium is simply unconscionable given two years when there were no wage increases,” said TUCP spokesman Rafael Mapalo.

Mapalo said that only employers are enjoying the fruits of the economy.

“This is not development, this is not sustainable. This is greed,” Mapalo said.

Robert Go, executive director of Philippine Retailers Association said that wage hike should be made per industry as there are sectors that need high-level skills and education, while there are jobs that need otherwise.

Go added that the increase asked by labor is too much and economic stability cannot withstand any increase.

Eric Mendoza, president of Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that it is time to review how the private sector can provide for an increase for employees by way of incentives and productivity.

“Otherwise, we will close more industries and contended to just importing what we are supposed to produce,” Mendoza said.

TUCP filed a P100 across-the-board wage hike for workers in Region 7 while the Cebu Labor Coalition asked for a P128.60 increase in the daily wage of the workers in the region.

TUCP and CELAC had said that they are continuously pushing for the board to immediately act on their petition as the workers badly need an increase in their pay. – Rene U. Borromeo and Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP (THE FREEMAN)