Union urges Duterte to set wage hike terms

File Photo

THE Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) is urging President Rodrigo R. Duterte to declare a nationwide across-the-board wage hike.
In a statement released on Sunday, ALU-TUCP spokesperson Alan A. Tanjusay said that the President “can text or call the wage board and tell them the amount of wage increase he desires and it will be done.”

According to Mr. Tanjusay, the President can issue “an executive order mandating a wage increase amount needed by workers and their families to cope and service with the increasing prices of goods and service.”

Sought for comment, Regional Tripartite Wage Productivity Board (RTWPB) Secretary Kim S. Lagcao said that there is no schedule for deliberations yet. He also added that he is awaiting instructions from the board.

Employers Confederation of the Philippines President (ECOP) Donald G. Dee, on the other hand, said that ECOP is still studying various options.

“We will bring forward our proposal in the meeting of the wage board,” he said in a text message.

According to TUCP vice-president and representative of the labor groups to the RTWPB deliberations, Angelita D. Señorin, the labor groups and the employers’ confederation are set to submit their position papers on Monday, Aug. 7. It is only after all the position papers are submitted will the wage board decide on the matter.

The statement released by Mr. Tanjusay noted that ALU-TUCP submitted its position paper on Friday, petitioning for an “across-the-board P184 daily wage increase... for workers in the cities and municipalities of the National Capital Region on top of the existing legislated P491 daily minimum wage.”

The RTWPB is currently deliberating on the wage increase petition of three labor groups: TUCP, ALU, and Minimum Wage Earners and Advocates, an affiliate of the Philippine Trade and General Workers Organization.

The RTWPB has conducted a series of public hearings focusing on the labor groups’ and the employers’ concerns. After submission of the position papers, the wage board has 45 days to deliberate and come up with a decision. According to Ms. Señorin, this is more likely to come in September. -- Mario M. Banzon