THE Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Western Visayas (RTWPB-6) will kick off the series of public hearings on minimum wage adjustment in Talisay City, Negros Occidental on April 8.
In a notice released Wednesday afternoon, Labor Regional Director Sixto Rodriguez, chairperson of RTWPB-6, said the petition for the PHP750 wage increase, filed by Bacolod-based Fishta Union of Employees for Reforms Through Solidarity Actions (FUERSA-Super), will be discussed during the first public hearing to be held at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City starting at 9 a.m.
“The wage board will determine the merits of the petition through public consultation,” he added.
The petition, filed by FUERSA-Super on March 14, seeks a daily minimum wage increase for workers in private establishments across all sectors.
Any party may file an opposition not later than March 28.
FUERSA-Super president Jesel Gayanelo has presented a certification to RTWPB-6 to show their labor union is registered with the Bureau of Labor Relations, making the petition for wage increase valid in form and substance.
The second public hearing will be held on April 11, 9 a.m., at Hotel Del Rio in Iloilo City for stakeholders from Iloilo City, Iloilo Province, Guimaras, Capiz and Antique.
It will be followed by the public hearing on domestic workers’ wages at 1:30 p.m. at the same venue.
The third consultation will be conducted on April 12, 1:30 p.m., at Marzon Hotel in Kalibo, Aklan both for Capiz and Aklan stakeholders.
Currently, the minimum wage in Western Visayas ranges from PHP310 to PHP395 per day, depending on the sectoral classification as provided under Wage Order 25, which already lapsed in November 2020.
Last year, the RTWPB-6 conducted a review of the existing minimum wage rates upon instruction from the National Wages and Productivity Commission.
Labor sector representative Wennie Sancho then said factors considered were the ramifications of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and restrictions that resulted in increased unemployment and underemployment. (PNA)
