Wage hike in Eastern Visayas unlikely before Labor Day

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

DESPITE the observations of a supervening condition by the regional wage board, the minimum wage increase in Eastern Visayas is still unlikely to be granted before May 1.

Lawyer Forter Puguon, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) who sits as the chairman of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), said the board could not immediately decide because of the absence of representatives from the employers' sector.

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"The regional wage board is yet to complete its composition. But we have conducted several consultations with employees and employers in various parts of the region and we noted significant movement in terms of consumer price index and inflation rate," Puguon said.

"Despite the situation, we could not decide unless it is a tripartite body. But we expect that a new representative from the employer sector would be appointed very soon," Puguon added.

The regional wage board has conducted consultation in Ormoc City for the Western Leyte area and another consultation will be scheduled in Calbayog City in Samar on May 9.

"Based on the consultations, the supervening conditions identified by the board are fuel price increase, fare adjustment and rising cost of basic commodities," Puguon said.

Puguon added workers claimed fuel prices have risen four times in March alone and has sparked increases in prices of commodities and transport fares.

By law, only one wage increase order can be issued in a year unless there are "intervening conditions" such as a sharp increase in prices of commodities.

RTWPB in Eastern Visayas granted a P18 increase in minimum wage for workers in the private sector in 2008.

The order raised the pay to P238 for workers in non-agricultural establishments employing more than 10 workers; P215 for non-agricultural workers in establishments with 10 workers or less; P221 for workers in agricultural plantations; and P206 for other workers in the agriculture sector. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)