Friday, April 11, 2008 RTWPB chairman says petition for pay hike lacks data support
WORKERS seeking a P136 increase in the minimum daily wage failed to submit economic data to support their salary increase petition.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) met yesterday to discuss the wage increase petition filed by the Progressive Independent Alliance of Labor Organizations (PIALO).
The board did not act on the petition because it lacked supporting data, said Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) 7 Director Elias Cayanong, RTWPB chairman.
But the RTWPB, he said, will be meeting every Thursday to discuss the petition and other concerns that affect workers.
Cayanong said that the PIALO cited the increasing prices of basic commodities, including rice, but failed to submit supporting data. Cayanong also said the reported problem on the supply and price of rice is “artificial.”
Yesterday’s meeting was attended by Caya-nong, labor representatives Marianito Ventura and Jose Boquecosa, management representative Hedelito Pascual, and one representative each from the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Cayanong said that during their meeting, Ventura pressed for a wage increase.
“But so far, the records and data we’ve gathered are inadequate. We will not jump the gun without good data to support it,” Cayanong said.
Cayanong, however, said they are continuously monitoring prices of commodities and the cost of living.
“On the price of rice and cereal, it appears this is artificial because of the sudden increase. If this is not manipulation, maybe (there’s a problem) in the distribution. In fact, there is a report of hoarding. So, those are things we have to consider, discuss and evaluate,” Cayanong said.
Cayanong said RTWPB members have to check not only the prices of commodities but also the inflation rate, cost of fuel and movement of the dollar vis-à-vis the peso. He said that while the price of fuel increased, the value of the dollar also stabilized.
“We don’t say that we are not taking into consideration this extra-ordinary event, but is this enough to declare it as reason to issue another wage order? So, the board has to decide on this matter,” Cayanong said.
He said RTWPB will also get data from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
“These things (DOE and LTFRB data) are needed before we can come with a decision, hopefully in our succeeding meetings,” Cayanong said.
Pascual said board members “are in the process of completing the data needed.”
Meanwhile, Cayanong they area also monitoring compliance of the P250 minimum daily wage that took effect last Nov. 11.
He said they inspected about 600 companies covered by the wage order and about 10 to 12 percent were found to have committed violations. These companies, he said, were issued orders of compliance. (EOB)
