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Monday, May 09, 2005
Nalzaro: Gov’t should protect the labor sector
By Bobby Nalzaro
THE Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board 7, acting on the order of Malacañang, is conducting a series of consultations among various sectors for possible wage adjustment in view of the demand of the labor sector.
Under the law, the wage board is mandated to hear petition and grant any wage adjustment if necessary. But it is only allowed to approve an increase once a year under normal economic circumstances.
Various labor groups have been demanding wage increase following the rounds of increase in the prices of petroleum products that also triggered the spiraling of prices of basic commodities. The frequent increase in petroleum products and increase in electricity rate are contributory factors to the increase in the prices of prime commodities.
Just recently the Energy Regulatory Commission gave the National Power Corp. a “go signal” to raise its power rate by an average of 47 centavos per kilowatt-hour. This would mean that electric companies and cooperatives like the Visayan Electric Company, which serves Metro Cebu residents, are also expected to pass the increase to their consumers.
The labor sector is the most affected every time there is an increase in the prices of goods. We are the ultimate loser. Producers and manufacturers have nothing to worry about because they can pass it on to the prices of their products in order to recover their production cost. This has been always the case.
Now, in what way can ordinary workers cope with the situation? Some say that it is not advisable for organized labor to demand for a wage increase because it will result to unemployment. Every time the labor sector asks for a wage increase, the business community reacts violently and forewarns that any wage increase will trigger massive lay-offs and retrenchment of workers and closure of some establishments.
But where do workers go? We are always pushed against the wall? The government is not giving us any non-wage benefits. This government is always bias in favor of the capitalist. It cannot even go after those businessmen who are not complying with the minimum wage law. Yes, there is no argument that capitalists have a great contribution to the country’s economy.
But I would like to remind those who are in power that while it is the obligation of the government to protect the interest of the capitalist, it is also the legal and moral obligation of the government to protect the interest of the labor sector.
For without the force and sweat of the labor sector those factories and companies will not move. It is a matter of give and take. Companies that are making money should also pity their employees. We are not asking too much. Ayaw mo paghinakog.
(Bobby@sunstar.com.ph/09193181404)
(May 9, 2005 issue)
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