WAGE hikes outside the National Capital Region (NCR) might be lower than the approved P35 for the private sector in Metro Manila, the National Wage Coalition said on Wednesday, July 3.
Labor groups in the coalition held a press conference in Quezon City to express their dismay over the “measly” wage hike approved by the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB).
Kilusang Mayo Uno Secretary General Jerome Adonis said the approved increase in NCR will be used as a basis in setting the minimum wage in other regions even if wage petitions higher than P35 will be filed.
“Base sa karanasan, mas maliit ang kaya nilang ipasa sa mga region at nakakalungkot, maliit na nga, hinahati pa sa tranches. Barya na nga lang, pagdating sa mga region, binabarya pa lalo. Kitang-kita ‘yung kawalang respeto, kawalang pagkilala doon sa napakahalagang ambag ng mga manggagawa,” Adonis said.
With the wage hike in NCR set lower than the value requested in wage petitions, other Regional Wage Boards may push back deciding on a new minimum wage in their areas according to Federation of Free Workers (FFW).
“Hindi under pressure itong ibang wage boards to give increases now kasi ang panghahawakan nila ‘yong anibersaryo ng mga wage orders noong previous years. Therefore, it gives them much leverage na i-dribble ang wage petitions hanggang hindi na sila magbigay,” FFW Vice President Julius Cainglet said.
NCW slammed the RTWPB and called for its abolishment for allegedly favoring enterprises on the recent wage order.
The wage order cited that workers are “entitled to their fair share in economic growth” and enterprises are also allowed to have “reasonable returns on their investments and to expansion and growth.”
Trade Union Congress of the Philippines Legislative Officer Paul Gajes expressed their dismay over the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) alleged disregard for workers.
“Ang nakakalungkot pa po, parang ang DOLE at regional wage boards ay kumampi pa sa employers. They chose to side and take more consideration to the profits of capitalism and employers rather than towards a living wage,” Gajes said.
Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino president Luke Espiritu called the wage hike “shameful” and urged for the approval of the legislated wage increase.
NCW called for the urgent passage of the proposed P150 legislated wage hike.
The coalition also urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify the bill as urgent before his State of the Nation Address this July. (ABS-CBN News)
