Philippines : RTWPB to hold 4 consultations on wage hike
THE Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) will hold four consultations in Central Visayas to come up with a “win-win” solution to the petitions of three labor groups that are
Records show that the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines is petitioning for a P161 across-the-board daily wage increase in Region 7.
On the other hand, the Sentro or Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) wants a P140 across-the-board daily wage increase.
The Philippine Agricul-tural,Commercial and Industrial Workers’ Union also filed for a wage increase of P101.34, P90.61 and P86.87 per day for all workers in the private sector of Negros Island Region (NIR).
Schedules
Although considered under NIR, Negros Oriental is still under the jurisdiction of RTWPB 7, said Board Secretary Grace Carreon.
The consultations will be held on Nov. 9 in Cebu City, Nov. 16 in Bogo City, Nov. 25 in Tagbilaran City and Dec. 2 in Dumaguete City.
The RTWPB 7 Board is composed of Department of Labor and Employment 7 Director Exequiel Sarcauga as chairman; National Economic and Development Authority 7 Director Efren Carreon and Department of Trade and Industry 7 Director Asteria Caberte as vice chairpersons; lawyer Ernesto Carreon and Jose Tomungha as labor representatives; and lawyer Hedelito Pascual and businessman Philip Tan as management representatives.
Tan said that since the last increase was last year and already passed the one-year period to qualify for another wage increase, labor will be asking for another round of wage adjustment.
“How much (wage increase will be granted) is the biggest issue (which will be taken up during the consultations),” Tan said.
Tomungha said that as member of the RTWPB 7 Board, he expects to hear the stakeholders’ sentiments and positions as their basis to come up with the decision.
Calls for opposition
In a press statement sent to Sun.Star Cebu by Regional Labor Communications Officer Luchel Senarlo-Taniza, Carreon said all interested parties who oppose the petitions may file their oppositions before RTWPB 7 prior to the scheduled dates of the public hearings.
Sarcauga said that when all wage consultations are done, RTWPB 7 and other stakeholders involved will convene again on Dec. 9 for the regional public hearing in Cebu City.
This aims to ensure that the respective ideas, rejoinders, issues and concerns of different sectors can be put in place.
“It targets to ensure broad participation of stakeholders and other parties affected by wage adjustment. It also helps generate data on the views or position of stakeholders on petitions for such move,” Sarcauga said.