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Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Wage board labor reps belittle P15 Cola
By Jenny Molbog-Mendoza
ONE of the two labor representatives to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) 11 expressed dismay over the decision of the Board to only grant a P15 cost-of-living allowance to minimum wage earners of the region.
Federation of Free Workers president Virginia Camus said in a phone interview Tuesday that the increase granted by the Board will never suffice for the workers.
"It's very low. Hindi nga 'yan makakaabot sa real value ng peso natin sa ngayon. Base sa data ng Neda (National Economic and Development Authority) 11, ang real value ng peso as of now is only P0.76, so may kulang tayo o difference na P0.24. When you multiply the P0.24 to P209, which is the present minimum wage rate of the region, para makuha mo ang kailangang increase, lalabas na P50.16 ang kailangang ibigay ng Board sa workers para maging comfortable ang kanilang economic status. Kahit 80 percent lang man sana ng P50.16 naibigay nila. We really have to restore the purchasing power of our peso," she said.
In releasing the wage order on June 17, it was observed that Camus, along with the other labor representative Jorge Alegarbes, did not sign the decision. Both of them noted, "I will not sign this wage order because the amount is unreasonably low considering the supervening conditions in Davao region."
Under the wage order, the minimum wage rates prescribed shall be for the normal working hours, which shall not exceed the eight working hours a day.
The wage order further stated that all workers paid by results, including those who are paid on piecework, "takay", "pakyaw", or task basis, shall be entitled to receive the prescribed Cola per eight hours work a day, or a proportion thereof for those working less than eight hours.
Camus said that if all workers will be given with enough level of salaries, the economy will become more active.
"Kapag binigyan nila ng magandang pasahod and manggagawa, mas iikot ang ekonomiya kasi may pambili sila, therefore, babalik din sa employers ang kita," she said.
Camus refuted claims that the present economic situation of the country "is not doing good" considering that government agencies are reporting every now and then that the export level this year is a lot higher than last year's, less to mention the number of investments which are being infused in the region until now.
However, Camus didn't blame the wage board for not coming up with a "better" decision.
"Marami naman kasing nag-decide, so, hindi talaga natin pwedeng sisihin ang Board," she said.
The decision of the board was anchored on the present inflation rate recorded in the region as of May, which was pegged at 10.4 percent.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (June 22, 2005 issue)
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