Dole asks more sectors to file position papers until Aug. 26

FOLLOWING the wage petitions filed by some labor groups, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) wants the public and the concerned sectors to understand that they have yet to deliberate on the matter.

With this, Dole 7 Director Exequiel Sarcauga asked more sectors to file position papers until Aug. 26.

“The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) cannot yet make any decision regarding the two petitions filed asking for across-the-board daily minimum wage increase in Region 7 right after the conduct of the regional public hearing,” said Sarcauga, who also chairs the RTWPB, in a press statement.

Hearing

The hearing last Thursday, Sarcauga said, aimed to guarantee that all ideas, rejoinders, issues and concerns of different sectors could be considered.

It was attended by various chapters of chamber and commerce industry as well as representatives from the wholesalers association, consumer groups, representatives from the academe, among others.

“It targets to ensure broad participation of stakeholders and other parties affected by the wage adjustment. It also helps generate data on the views or position of stakeholders on petitions for such move,” Sarcauga further explained.

Hike

He said the RTWPB will schedule a deliberation of the two wage hike petitions presented and submitted to their office.

Since last month, labor groups had been pursuing for the labor agency to grant a wage increase.

Metudio Belarmino Jr. of Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) filed for a minimum wage adjustment of P145 or a P432 daily minimum wage.

Increase

On the other hand, Arturo Barit of Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) filed for an increase of P92 or a P485 daily minimum wage in Central Visayas.

“I appreciate the arguments of the labor and management sectors. Both are equally correct and sensible. Our problem and concern now is how to create and establish balance when faced with two correct issues in order to come up with a reasonable, practical and viable solution,” Sarcauga said.

Kasambahay

Sarcauga also encouraged the sectors to include in their position papers the concerns of the kasambahay or domestic helpers.

Architect Benjamin Avila of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Robert Go of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and lawyer Manolette Dinsay of the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry said during the public hearing last Thursday that any wage increase is untimely and will increase employment rate and inflation rate.

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