WORKERS can expect no announcement of a reward from the government on Labor Day, May 1, as Malacañang maintains a hands-off policy on wage hike petitions.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the regional wage boards have the final say on any petition seeking salary adjustments.

Panelo made the remark, amid the abor groups' call to increase the minimum wage to P750 nationwide, in time for the country's observance of Labor Day on Wednesday, May 1.

"Meron naman tayong wage board, 'di ba (We have the wage board, don't we)? So whatever petitions they will have to file have to go through the wage board," Panelo said.

"Nasa wage board iyan kasi wage board na ang magde-determine niya kung kailangan o hindi (It's up to the wage board because it will be the one that will determine whether the pay hike is necessary or not). Depende sa (It depends on the) circumstances surrounding whatever petitions they have in mind," he added.

Labor groups Kilos na Manggagawa, Metal Workers Alliance of the Philippines, and the BPO Industry Employees Network have filed a petition before the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, seeking an increase in the daily minimum wage to P750.

On Monday, April 29, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) ruled out the possibility that the wage board would meet the demand for a salary increase in Metro Manila and other regions.

Asked if the Palace would give any advice to RTWPB with regard to the call for wage increase, Panelo said: "No. They know their jobs."

Militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) on Monday said around 100,000 workers are expected to join nationwide rallies on Labor Day, as they plan to demand a P750 national minimum wage and an end to contractualization.

Panelo said the Palace respects the workers' right to peaceful assembly.

"It's their right to protest. You can even join them if you feel like joining," the Palace official said. (Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines)