WORKERS in Negros Occidental were pleased after the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) ordered the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Western Visayas to again include the province under its jurisdiction.
In a letter dated September 5, NWPC Officer-in-Charge Executive Director Alex Avilla instructed RTWPB-6 chairman Salome Siaton to “still consider Negros Occidental as part of its jurisdiction considering that the Wage Board in Negros Island Region (NIR) is not yet constituted.”
The letter also stated that “this will ensure the welfare and interest of workers in Negros Occidental.”
A copy of the said order was received yesterday by Wennie Sancho, labor representative to the RTWPB 6 during the board’s meeting in Iloilo City.
It is in response to the query of General Alliance and Workers Association (Gawa) query submitted to NWPC last August 23, said Sancho, also secretary- general of Gawa.
“This will revive the hopes of the workers in Negros Occidental particularly those who are under-organized,” he said, adding that it will again motivate them to improve productivity among their workplaces.
Moreover, the RTWPB 6 has yet to further look into the implications of the proposed P125 across-the-board daily minimum wage increase in the country.
Sancho said they cannot fully discuss a national issue like the petition for nationwide wage increase unless the proponent will explain it to the RTWPB-6.
He said, however, that they will still submit comments and suggestions to NWPC regarding the proposed P125 per day increase, which will include the request for the proponent to discuss it with the board.
On September 29, a public consultation will be held in Bacolod City to tackle various wage issues and concerns, including the pay increase for workers in Negros Occidental.
“The workers in the province still see huge relief as they will now be covered by any wage increase in Western Visayas rather than nothing under the pending constitution of NIR Wage Board,” Sancho added.