Export group opposes calls for wage hike

SOME 250,000 workers in Cebu lost their job this year.

Fifteen companies that belong to the Confederation of Philippine Exporters Foundation (Cebu) Inc. (Philexport) had to close shop due to high wage cost.

These represent such varied sectors as industrial goods, furniture, seaweed, food, fashion accessories, gifts, toys, house ware, garments and medical tourism.

Justification

Philexport past president Fred Escalona, who reported the figures to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) 7, said this is the reason the group opposes the petitions of the Associated Labor Unions and the Alliance of Progressive Labor for a P90 and P121.80 across-the-board wage increase, respectively.

To justify their request for “zero wage increase,” or exemption from any new wage order until some of their members can recover from the business slowdown, Escalona submitted to the RTWPB 7 the group’s position paper.

Signatories

The position paper was signed by PhilExport president Venus Genson; gifts, toys and house ware sector president Ramon Bonghanoy; food sector president Nelson Bascones; seaweed sector president Max Rico Hermoso; garment sector president Samson Chiu; furniture sector president Angela Paulin; fashion accessories sector president Gil Zaire Carungay; industrial goods sector representative Teresita Uyfang; and electronics sector representative Porferio Montesclaros.

They said they are aware that the prices of basic commodities, fuel and energy have risen in line with global trends.

They said employers and workers suffer the same fate.

Higher wage cost has not only affected the Philippines, but other developing countries worldwide, Escalona said.