Friday, May 02, 2008 Non-wage benefits for workers pushed By Rimaliza Opiña
THERE are other ways to combat increase in the prices of basic commodities other than a wage increase.
Lowering the personal tax exemption of employees as well as giving non-wage benefits could defray a rising cost of living, Labor Regional Director Ana Dione said.
Although these proposals would need Congress' approval, Dione said employers might want to consider granting non-wage benefits such as rice or transport subsidies to their workers.
While Dione is for these, she said a wage increase may still be issued within the year.
As to how much would be added to the current wages would still have to be discussed, Dione said reiterating the mandate of regional wage boards that the rates for a proposed increase must likewise conform to an employer's capacity to pay.
Conditions like increase in the prices of fuel, rice and other basic commodities were used as basis for the Cordillera wage board to convene recently.
In the proposals to increase wages, the regional wage board calls for hearings between the labor and employers sectors. Hearings are conducted and position papers are required from both parties before the board decides how much increase will be imposed.
The latest increase issued by the wage board was last year at P10per day for the cost of living allowance.
The minimum wage for the non-agriculture industry in the BLIST area is P245.
Meanwhile, lat Thursday's observance of Labor Day was marked by job fairs.
Asked of the success rate of jobs fairs, Dione said an average 75 percent of applicants get hired for various positions.
She said some of those not hired usually lack experience, have changed their contact numbers and addresses or have flunked medical examinations.
To increase chances of being hired, she advised applicants to try looking for jobs outside of Baguio, upgrade their competency skills or venture into business.
"Be entrepreneurs, not just wage earners," the labor official stressed.
