Saturday, November 05, 2005 (Philippines)

Let RVAT dust settle before deciding if its effects have eroded the earlier wage increase, thus advises Labor Secretary Patricia Sto.Tomas. Meantime, consumers try to cope with increase in prices of prime goods, cutting down consumption and turning to such thrift stores as this Tindahan ni Gloria (photo). (Sun.star photo/Amper Campaña) Cebu's business leaders are opposing a legislated wage increase proposed by President Arroyo because congressmen will just use the issue for grandstanding. Carlos Co, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) vice president, said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board is better at setting daily pay because it is made up of representatives from the government, business and labor. “Congress will always be grandstanding for labor. Let’s leave it to the wage board,” Co told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday. CCCI president Robert Go, who is in Turkey, said a legislated wage will ruin the economy because it will drive away investments and push inflation up. [full story]