Labor group pushes for P92 wage increase in Central Visayas

The proposed wage hike is 'too high,' says the head of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 'Let us not kill each other. Let us survive together.'

Rappler file photo by Roy Lagarde

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Associated Labor Union (ALU) is pushing for a P92 across-the-board wage increase for workers in Central Visayas, but the business sector thinks the amount is too much.

In its proposal submitted to the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board in Central Visayas (RTWPB-VII) onTuesday, July 21, the labor group said the increase is needed even though the prices of petroleum has significantly dropped.

The commodities and the cost of living, however, did not drop like the petroleum prices, according to Art Barrit of the ALU.

Other labor groups have asked for a higher across-the-board wage increase. On July 13, the Cebu Labor Coalition and the Alliance of Progressive Labor sought a P140 across-the-board wage increase for the region.

All labor groups agree that the Central Visayas' minimum wage – P340 – is lower compared to that of the National Capital Region.

The regional wage board will hold a meeting on July 31 to discuss the proposals.

In an interview with dyLA-AM, a radio station operated by the ALU-TUCP, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Maria Teresa Chan said both proposals are too high.

Based on an inflation rate of 3-4%, the increase should only be between P13.6 and P15, she said.

An amount higher than that would hurt the industry, she added. “Let us not kill each other. Let us survive together.”

She explained that 60% of Cebu businesses are anchored on the services sector, and will be significantly affected if wages are increased.

In a services business, majority of the cost is manpower, Chan said.

Chan also said that the BPO companies, which are multinational, may be able to afford the P15 increase, but other “indpenedent BPOs” will have a difficult time coping with such cost, much more with the proposed P92 and P140 across-the-board wage increase. – Rappler.com / Dale G. Israel

Order to license massage workers put on hold

Pinoy Hilot massage class in cooperation of TESDA and TUCP Party-list (file photo 2011)

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Health has issued a three-year moratorium on its administrative order mandating the licensing of massage therapists.

The moratorium was issued to give ample time for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and DOH to harmonize the government's program for massage therapists in the country.

The moratorium took effect last month and will stay in place until December 2017.

Consul Robert Lim Joseph, secretary general of the Philippine Organization of Wellness Establishments and Resources, told The Freeman the DOH must have taken the organization’s opposition to the administrative order.

“We expect to meet the DOH Secretary next week,” Joseph said.

Last month, through TESDA-7, some spa and wellness operators in Cebu called for a congressional inquiry into the DOH order.

Administrative Order No. 2010-0034 dated December 10, 2010 entitled Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations Governing Massage Clinics and Sauna Establishments, provides that no person is authorized to practice massage as a profession without holding a valid Certificate of Registration issued by the Committee of Examiners for Massage Therapy and approved by the DOH. This has been in place since January 2011.

Joint Memorandum Circular 2015-001 of TESDA and DOH requires, at a minimum, massage therapists must have a National Certificate in Massage Therapy NC II issued by TESDA, which is valid during the moratorium period as a minimum requirement.

A composite team of TESDA and DOH experts will work out a process that would harmonize the implementation of training, assessment and certification/licensure of massage therapists.

This initiative of TESDA and DOH to harmonize the program on massage therapy is intended to attract more students to take the course and promote it as a viable career.

TESDA-7 Board Member Art Barrit, spokesman of the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP), said they have forwarded the requests for inquiry to TUCP Party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza. — By Gregg M. Rubio/JMO (The Freeman)