A LABOR sector is opposing the P11.50 increase in daily minimum wage for workers in Western Visayas approved by the region's Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).
The increase is contained in Wage Order No. 22 approved by the RTWPB-Western Visayas during their meeting in Iloilo City Thursday night.
Before the increase, wage rates in Western Visayas range from P245 to P255 per day for non-agricultural workers and for P255 per day for agricultural workers.
"This is outrageous which is a product of contemptible decision made by government and management representatives in the board without due regard to the miserable plight of the workers," said Wennie Sancho, labor sector representative to the RTWPB-6 and secretary-general of General Alliance of Workers Association (Gawa).
Gawa and the New Independent Workers Association (Niwo) had filed a petition for P72 to P85 across-the-board wage increase, citing increases in the cost of living as their main argument.
Sancho said he is not signing the wage order.
What is ideal is at least P25 per day, he said, and he would sign the wage order if such amount is granted.
"The board failed in its mandate to provide adequate wages that would reduce social and economic inequality for the workers, by raising their quality of life to a level of human dignity,” Sancho said.
He added: “On the contrary, instead of providing a substantial remuneration to ameliorate the economic deprivation of the workers, the board has become an instrument of oppression by implementing the wage freeze policy of the government and assenting to the demand of the capitalist for more profit."
Once the P11.50 increase is implemented, the minimum wage for commercial and industrial workers in Western Visayas of P287 per day would become P298.50.
This is way below the ideal minimum wage of P550 per day, Sancho said.
The labor leader said that his refusal to sign Wage Order No. 22 is “a manifestation of indignation and protest because he cannot take in his conscience the insult and mockery inflicted upon the workers.”
"I refuse to be part of the decision which I consider a treachery to the cause of the poor and the oppressed worker," he added.