A LABOR representative to the Regional Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Western Visayas has expressed dismay over the cancellation of the regular Wage Board meeting supposedly scheduled on Monday, February 16, 2021.

Wennie Sancho, also the secretary-general of General Alliance of Workers Associations (Gawa), said he was informed by the Board Secretariat of the cancellation of the meeting Sunday afternoon.

The Wage Board is supposed to take up the Pandemic Emergency Relief Allowance (Pera) that was proposed by the labor sector in November last year.

He said the reason for the postponement of the meeting was the arrival of Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

Sancho, however, said if the chairperson of the RTWPB is not available, there are two vice chairs who are the regional directors of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) who could take over.

“Why cancel the Board meeting on a short notice? While we consider the arrival of Secretary Bello as important, the concern of labor to have immediate economic relief is equally important due to the unabated increases in the prices of basic goods and services amid the pandemic,” he said.

The Labor leader earlier said the Board has failed to act on their earlier manifestation for a Pera of P25 per day.

Rhey are now mulling to push for P80 to P100 daily minimum wage increase for private-sector workers in the region including Negros Occidental.

Sancho also said there is no need to file a petition for a wage increase as the existing Wage Order had already lapsed on November 26, 2020.

Under Wage Order No. 25, which took effect in November 2019, a P30 daily pay hike was provided for workers among non-agriculture, industrial and commercial establishments employing more than 10 employees.

From the previous P350 plus cost of living allowance (Cola) of P15, totaling P365 per day, the prevailing rate is P395.

Employees from establishments with less than 10 workers are receiving additional P15, making the wage rate P310 per day.

For the agricultural sector, plantation workers received a P20 increase. From the previous P295 per day, the existing minimum wage rate under this sector is P315.

Sancho said the economic problem is compounded by the erosion of the workers’ purchasing power reducing their capacity to provide for the basic needs of the families.

“How can you survive when prices are going up while wages are going down?” he asked.

SunStar Bacolod tried to reach RTWPB-Western Visayas chair Cyril Ticao, who is the regional director of Dole-Western Visayas, but he has yet to reply.