ILOILO City – Public consultations on the proposed wage increase in Western Visayas have started, according to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).
In a petition submitted to the wage board, the Fishta Union of Employees for Reforms Through Solidarity Actions (FUERSA-SUPER) sought P750 new daily minimum wage for the private sector in Region 6.
The first public consultation was held in Talisay City, Negros Occidental on April 8.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional director and RTWPB chair Atty. Sixto Rodriguez Jr. described it as “productive”.
“Employers and employees provided us with inputs that we will consider in our decision,” said Rodriguez.
Roberto Yulo, organizer of FUERSA-SUPER was there. He cited the rising cost of living.
Employers, on the other hand, said “wage hike is not the solution to socioeconomic problems but massive creation of job opportunities.”
Frank Carbon, area vice president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Visayas and chief executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the coronavirus pandemic caused massive business losses, thus a wage hike at this time is counterproductive.
Other employers were okay with a wage hike but it should be lower than P750.
The current daily minimum wages in the region are as follows:
* for non-agriculture / industrial / commercial – P395 in those employing more than 10 workers and P310 in those employing 10 workers and below
* for agriculture – P315
These rates took effect way back in Nov. 26, 2019.
There was no wage increase in 2020.
Rodriguez said public consultations will also be held in Iloilo city, and province, Capiz, Guimaras and Antique./PN
