MANILA – Malacañang will leave petitions for wage increases, including the P334 hike in Metro Manila, to the regional wage boards.
Labor groups headed by the Associated Labor Unions – Trade Union Congress of the Philippines were asking for a P334 daily wage increase in the National Capital Region amid the rising inflation rate.
“You know, our wage board and this wage board will determine – after accepting evidence on both sides – whether or not there is a need for an increase,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told a press briefing Tuesday.
“The Palace will respect whatever the decision of the wage board is,” he added.
The approval of a P1 fare hike among jeepneys and buses also prompted the labor groups to push for the wage hike petition.
A spokesman for the labor organization, Alan Tanjusay, said their petition for a P344 wage hike reflects the 6.2-percent inflation rate in the third quarter.
This was up from their P320 wage hike petition, filed in June, that reflected only the prevailing conditions in the first quarter, he said.
In Metro Manila, workers currently receive a P512 daily minimum wage. If the wage hike petition is approved, employees could receive a pay of up to P856 per day. (With PNA/PN)
