ILOILO CITY -- The result of two of the four public consultations conducted by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) showed no opposition to the proposed increase in the daily minimum wage of workers in Western Visayas.
However, while there is no opposition, participants during hearings conducted in Aklan last April 24 and Capiz in April 26 have varied positions when it comes to the amount of increase, said Labor and Employment Regional Director and RTWPB chair lawyer Johnson Cañete on Wednesday.
“There is no opposition as far as to whether there will be an increase,” he said in an interview.
Western Visayas’ Wage Order No. RBVI-23 issued last year has already expired in March 16 this year.
Cañete underscored that “it is time to review” the region’s order not only because the latest order has expired but because a petition was filed by the Philippine Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Workers Union - Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (PACIWU-TUCP).
The petition seeks a PHP150 daily wage increase for those working in establishments with more than 10 workers; PHP140 for workers in agriculture plantation and PHP130 for workers of establishments with less than 10 workers and agriculture non-plantation.
“We need to consult the public on what is their take on the wage increase,” he said.
Hearings are set in Iloilo City this May 8 and in Bacolod City in May 10.
“After all the public hearing we will now have enough figures, position papers, manifestations that will be used by the board to discuss,” he said.
While no opposition was heard during the last two public consultations, Cañete said that employers in Boracay are hopeful for a moratorium because they still have to recoup their losses due to the temporary closure of the island.
Meantime, he said that how fast the board could decide on the increase will depend on the position of the management and the labor representatives.
He said that if it is “hard core, the bargaining will take long.”
The RTWPB is composed of the Department of Labor and Employment as chair, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry and two management representatives each from the management and labor groups as members. (PNA)
Photo by Perla Lena
