BACOLOD City – The General Alliance of Worker’s Association (GAWA) in Negros Occidental has formally submitted a position paper to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) advocating for a wage increase for private sector workers in Western Visayas.
The paper, signed by GAWA Secretary General Wennie Sancho, was submitted on October 14 to Atty. Sixto Rodriguez, chairperson of the RTWPB in Western Visayas.
As representatives of the working class, GAWA emphasized that a wage adjustment is necessary to help workers cope with rising costs and economic challenges in the region.
“The current economic conditions in Western Visayas have significantly increased the cost of living, making it difficult for workers to afford basic necessities. Inflation has eroded their purchasing power, and wages have not kept pace with rising prices,” Sancho said.
He stressed that a wage increase is essential to ensure workers can maintain a decent standard of living.
“A higher wage would not only benefit workers but also contribute to the overall economic growth of the region. Increased wages would lead to higher consumer spending, which boosts local businesses and stimulates economic activity,” Sancho added.
GAWA requested the Wage Board to consider the following measures: a substantial increase in the minimum wage to reflect the current cost of living in Western Visayas; regular review and adjustment of wages to keep pace with inflation and economic conditions; and indexation of wages, ensuring automatic adjustments based on changes in the cost of living.
“We believe these demands are reasonable and necessary to protect the welfare of private sector workers. We look forward to a favorable response and are willing to work together to find solutions that benefit both workers and employers,” Sancho said./PN
