Tuesday, April 15, 2008 GMA asks wage boards to study wage increase
MANILA- President Arroyo yesterday called for the convening of regional wage boards to discuss a possible wage increase to help workers cope with the increasing prices of oil and rice.
“Because of the increasing cost in the prices of fuel and rice, we’re calling for a meeting of the regional wage boards all over the country so that every region can discuss how we can help...the workers cope with the rising world price of oil and rice,” Arroyo said at the inspection of Yazaki-Torres Manufacturing Plant in Calamba City in Laguna.
Cost of living
Wage boards approve different increases per region depending on the cost of living in the area but in Metro Manila, the last wage increase for private sector workers, amounting to P12 per day, was implemented on Aug. 28. The order raised the basic pay to P362 per day.
Under labor laws, only one wage increase is allowed a year unless “supervening conditions” call for another hike.
The President, during the visit, also encouraged the provision of “wage and non-wage benefits” to workers like the putting up of daycare centers in the places of employment for working mothers.
She acknowledged Yazaki-Torres, a known exporter of automotive wiring harness in the US, Japan and Europe, for opening up its own hospital to address the needs of their employees.
Factory visits
She said that since Labor Day is coming, she would be visiting several factories all over the country to personally check the working conditions and ensure the welfare of employees.
Trade Secretary Peter Favila said that while he favors a wage increase for employees to ease the effect of increasing prices of commodities, the impact on employers should also be considered.
Favila suggested that instead of a salary increase, provisions of emergency or additional allowance could be an option. (Sunnex)
