TESDA seeking to rationalize pay structure for construction

THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) said it is pushing for a “rationalization” of construction worker salaries to support the government’s infrastructure program.

In an interview with BusinessWorld on Tuesday, TESDA Director General Secretary Guiling A. Mamondiong said: “I wrote a letter to the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and as well as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to rationalize the pay scale (of) construction workers.”

He added that a clear pay structure will help attract more construction workers to the government’s Build, Build, Build program, instead of working overseas.

According to the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) website, the entry-level salary for a mason ranges from P8,000 to P13,000 a month based on 2011 rates. For a welder and metal fabricator, the entry-level salary is P8,000 to P13,000 a month, based on 2014 rates.

Mr. Mamondiong said TESDA prioritizes construction training especially with the advent of the Build, Build, Build program.

“Construction training and courses (are) a priority of TESDA because we have to respond positively to the Build, Build, Build program that requires many construction workers,” he added.

The TESDA Executive Director General Secretary said he was confident of meeting demand for construction workers.

“”We are sure we are going to meet the requirements of the (Build, Build, Build) program,” Mr. Mamondiong said. —