Sunday, October 21, 2007 New wage rates in C. Mindanao take effect
THE Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Central Mindanao said the latest wage increase in the region ranging from P3 to P5 is now officially in effect, despite protests from labor groups, an official said.
Joel Gonzales, regional wage board secretary, said Regional Wage Order 14 was implemented starting last Monday.
"The necessary processes, such as consultations, have been completed in coming up with the additional daily cost of living allowance (Cola). The approved wage order was published in a local newspaper," he said in an interview.
Wage Order 14 brings to P229.50 the daily minimum wage for private workers in the non-agriculture sector and in the agriculture sector, P212 for plantation workers, and P209 for non-plantation workers.
For those in retail/service establishments, P215 in enterprises with more than 10 workers and P209 for those with less than 10 workers, the order added.
Gonzales defended the meager daily wage increase from the workers' tirades that it was an insult to the employees.
"It's their right to voice their sentiments but the wage board has observed the necessary process required by law," he pointed out.
Last week, militant workers picketed the office of the regional wage board in nearby Koronadal City to condemn the wage adjustment, throwing rotten eggs at the facility.
Edward Flores, Anakpawis local spokesperson, said they are calling for the abolition of the regional wage board because it allegedly does not reflect the real sentiments of workers in terms of better salary adjustments.
"The latest adjustment is not even enough to buy a pack of noodle or a piece of egg," he said.
Flores said the new Cola adjustment will not help the workers cope up with the rising cost of living.
He cited a National Economic and Development Authority-Central Mindanao data that the gross regional domestic product increased to six percent last year.
Yet, Flores added, with that figure, private workers did not get a deserving compensation increase from the government through the regional wage board, an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment.
Flores said minimum wage earners in the private sector of the region are tightening their belts as they fall behind the 2006 daily family living standard which is P610.
He vowed they would continue with protest actions in the region to bat for the approval of the daily legislated P125 across-the-board increase until the end of the year.
In August, the regional wage board held a series of consultations between employers' and employees' groups where wage proposals vary from P6, P8, P15, P50 and P75.
Central Mindanao covers the provinces of South and North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of Koronadal, General Santos, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.
