Wage hike petitions opposed

As expected, the wage hike petitions filed by the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines and the Cebu Labor Coalition were met with strong opposition by the management sector.

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mactan Export Processing Zone Chamber of Exporters and Manufacturers, Philexport-Cebu, and Cebu Furniture Industry Foundation were among those who objected to the wage adjustment sought by the labor sector during the public hearing.

The members of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-7 assured to balance the interest of both the labor and the management sectors in deciding the issue.

ALU-TUCP asked for P120 increase in the daily minimum wage for all private workers in Central Visayas while the Cebu Labor Coalition composed of NLMKatipunan, Metaphil Workers Union and Unionbank Employees Association is asking P155 daily.

RTWPB-7 chairman Alvin Villamor said they will hold another public hearing in Bogo City and Cebu City before starting the deliberations on the petitions on May 22. He said the board's decision to issue or not to issue a new wage order will depend on the results of their deliberations.

The CCCI, which is composed of micro, small, and medium enterprises, said that any wage increase at this point in time is counterproductive.

The MCCI said that any upward movement in the wages will make the Philippines as one of the highest minimum wages in the ASEAN and will adversely affect the country's minimum sector.

The Philexport-Cebu, which represents 11 export sectors in Central Visayas, said that while there is a need to adjust the wages but not at this point in time because the situation is still fluid amid the new law on taxes and amendments to the country's labor laws.

The petitioners insisted that there is a need to increase the minimum wage because of the rising cost of fuel, basic commodities, the implementation of the TRAIN law, and the continued devaluation of the workers' purchasing power.