THE labor sector respects the stand of local business group Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) that it might contest the just approved Wage Order, providing P15 to P30 daily minimum wage increase to private sector workers in Western Visayas.
Wennie Sancho, labor representative to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Western Visayas, said they recognize the right of the management to question new wage order.
Sancho, also the secretary general of the General Alliance of Workers Associations (Gawa), said though the opposition is part of the process, the labor stands firm on its position.
"As far as I am concerned, no member of the Wage Board will change their stand on the approved wage hike but we respect the business group's take on the matter," he added.
On October 22, the RTWPB-Western Visayas issued Wage Order 25, setting a P30 daily pay hike for workers among non-agriculture, industrial and commercial establishments employing more than 10 employees.
From the current P350 plus cost of living allowance (Cola) of P15, totaling to P365 per day, the new rate would be P395.
Employees from establishments with less than 10 workers will get an additional of P15, making the new wage rate P310 per day.
For the agricultural sector, plantation workers will receive a P20 increase. So from the current P295 per day, the new minimum wage rate under this sector is P315.
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of MBCCI, earlier said the local business sector is "very disappointed" with the decision of the Wage Board as it has put the local businesses at the great disadvantage over multi-national companies.
Carbon said they earlier suggested for a classification of businesses like that of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) where there are startups, small, medium and large enterprises.
"Large and multinational companies can afford to pay more because they also have the capacity to pay more. Also, they have the capacity to locate themselves in the best area in the city," he said.
The business leader added that "given such decision, it seems that provincial businesses will forever be like sari-sari stores as they cannot compete with the big ones."
The business group is set to sit down as it plans to contest the newly approved wage order.
Its official pointed out that the small and medium businesses comprise 99 percent of the industry and giving the most number of employment.
He, however, stressed that "they are not supporting us, they are putting us at great disadvantage instead."
The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) has yet to review the new wage order before the RTWPB can subject it to publication.
Sancho said the opposition may be filed 10 days upon the publication of the wage order.
However, if the opposition will be denied and the business group will make an appeal to the NWPC, they are required to post a "supersedeas or appeal bond" equivalent to the number of workers affected.
So far, this kind of appeal has not taken place yet, the labor representative said.
"They could actually raise it up to the Supreme Court, if they want to, but it cannot restrain the implementation of the Wage Order as long as it is already published," he added.