TUCP disappointed with P20 COLA; demands for non-wage benefits

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) today expressed disappointment over the P20 cost-of-living allowance (COLA) granted by the National Capital Regional Wages and Productivity Board.

The TUCP immediately called on Government to look for possibilities of granting non-wage benefits to augment the wage order.

TUCP filed petitions to increase minimum wages before the regional wage boards across the country in the third week of April this year.

While disagreeing with the amount, the TUCP welcomed the fast action of the NCR wage board in the granting of the COLA. “Usually it takes at least three months from the time we file the petition before the wage boards act. We hope that all the regional wage boards in the country take the cue from NCR and issue their respective wage orders.”

The TUCP in the meantime urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) to come up with means to improve workers incomes by crafting measures to improve the take home pay of wage earners.
“Given the amount granted by the NCR wage board, the Government and the employers should study the possibility of granting subsidies to working families. These may come in form of meal subsidies, transportation assistance, and setting up of factory commissaries”, TUCP said.

TUCP earlier proposed for the exemption of low-salaried workers from paying the mandatory 10% withholding taxes.

The TUCP which has yet to receive a copy of the decision also announced that it shall study the possibility of appealing the decision to the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).