Friday, March 6, 2015
TUCP, humihingi ng P136 across-the-board increase sa minimum wage sa NCR
Aired on March 6, 2015 in Saksi - GMA Network's late-night newscast hosted by Arnold Clavio and Pia Arcangel. It airs Mondays to Fridays at 11:30 PM (PHL Time) on GMA-7.
Decision on Metro Manila minimum wage out early-April
THE STATE BODY that sets the daily minimum wage in the country’s capital is expected to decide by the first week of next month if an increase from the current P429-466 is warranted.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board of the National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) held a public hearing on Friday -- the last of four consultations since January -- for all parties with interest in two petitions to raise the daily floor wage.
The Labor department’s National Wages and Productivity Commission requires regional boards to come up with a wage order within 30 days from the last public hearing.
Alberto R. Quimpo, RTWPB-NCR board member representing employers, said the first board meeting to discuss results of public consultations has been set tentatively on March 16.
RTWPB-NCR has received two petitions since November last year which will be used among bases for the seven-member body to come up with a decision, board chairman Alex V. Avila said in an interview at the sidelines of the public hearing in Pasay City. “[T]he board will deliberate on the petitions. We will consider all the position papers, the petitions, and the outputs of these three consultations and the public hearing,” Mr. Avila said.
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-Nagkaisa (TUCP) faction has asked for a P136 across-the-board wage hike, while another group, the Association of Minimum Wage Earners and Advocates (AMWEA), sought a P734 increase to be implemented in five equal tranches.
Both groups cited increasing utility rates and fare hikes for Metro Manila’s railway systems that took effect Jan. 4.
During the public hearing on Friday, TUCP Spokesman Alan A. Tanjusay added that the looming increase in tuition fees would be an added burden to workers. “The real value of P466 is P356.64… because of inflation,” Mr. Tanjusay said. “We need the P136 to restore the purchasing power of workers in NCR.”
AMWEA representative Margarita A. Greofaldio told the board in Filipino: “The board should provide a realistic wage… We all know the current minimum wage is not enough to live decently, much less for a family.”
She also asked the wage board to show computations leading to its decision “so it will not appear that what they approved was arbitrary.”
Speaking on behalf of employers, Mr. Quimpo opposed both petitions, saying in an interview: “It cannot be... it’s impossible”, even as he clarified that the Employers Confederation of the Philippines has yet to make a formal stand.
Ma. Elena G. Francisco, legal counsel of the Philippine Constructors’ Association, warned of capital flight and massive retrenchment should labor costs shoot up.
“We should instead look at how to increase employment opportunities for majority of workers (not just minimum wage earners),” Ms. Francisco said in Filipino.
“Not all employers are profitable enough to pay higher salaries. There are also small- and medium-scale enterprises that could close up shop if labor cost rises too much,” she explained.
“Others can afford to pull out their businesses, so we will see capital flight. If these investors, who employ many, flee to other economies where labor is more friendly, what will happen to us? Our economy will suffer,” she continued.
“So, let us weigh all considerations.”
Metro Manila’s minimum wage was last adjusted in September 2013, involving a P10 hike in basic pay after two TUCP factions filed for increases of P83 and P85. Other regions followed suit in adjusting floor wages. - By Melissa Luz T. Lopez BusinessWorld
Palace warns vs ‘opportunists’ who may sow dissent
Watch out for “opportunist groups.”
Malacañang aired this warning as it called on groups planning a justice march for the martyred 44 commandos of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) this Sunday to remain vigilant against the possible infiltration by a desperate few instigating a military-backed uprising against President Aquino.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government upholds the people’s freedom of expression but would not tolerate any action that violates the Constitution.
“While we join the commemoration of the heroism of the PNP-SAF44, it is important to be vigilant and watchful of groups that want to take advantage of the grief and use the opportunity to pursue their dubious goal,” Coloma said in a press briefing.
“Let’s observe that in the past days, there have been calls for the resignation of the President coupled with coup threats and other destabilization efforts. These opportunist groups have even used the 29th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution as an occasion to call on the public to wield people power against the government,” he added.
The Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PNPAAAI) had earlier announced plans to hold a “March for Justice for SAF 44” on March 8. The organizers have already issued guidelines to keep the nationwide activity non-partisan and focus on the demand for justice for the slain troopers.
During the EDSA anniversary rites, President Aquino lashed out at desperate groups riding on the Mamasapano incident to derail the peace process.
He lamented that these groups merely criticize the government but do not present alternative solutions to the problem.
Coloma said these groups do not want peace because they will benefit from chaos and violence.
“The government appeals anew for calm and reason.”
‘DAY OF HEALING’
At the Lower House, a group of lawmakers filed House Resolution No. 1952 seeking to declare March 6, 2015, a National Day of Healing for Unity and All-Out-Peace, All-Out-Justice in commemoration of the 40th day of the Mamasapano massacre.
Led by former Justice Secretary and 1-BAP partylist Rep. Silvestre Bello III, the group asked the 290-man Lower Chamber “to lead this nation’s call for calm and sobriety amidst these troubled times, and in unity with the independent efforts of our peace-loving citizens’ peace advocacies and to commemorate the thousands of lives lost from decades of armed conflict in Mindanao.”
“This unfortunate incident has likewise caused a national divide threatening to polarize the country and its peace-loving people, with some sections issuing condemnation, hasty judgment and espousing bloody retaliation and all-out war,” the three-page resolution said.
Joining Bello in filing the resolution are AKBAYAN partylist Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez III, Quezon City Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte, Zambales Rep. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan, Sorsogon Rep. Deogracias Ramos Jr., Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo, AMIN party-list Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza, and Lanao del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong.
The lawmakers cited that civil society groups, peace movements and communites across the country have started to unify in a gathering of peace advocates calling for “All-Out-Peace, All-Out-Justice,” which will culminate on the 40th day of the tragic Mamasapano anti-terror raid last Jan. 25.
“In order to maintain calm and sobriety in these tension-filled times and arrive at an objective and impartial result to the ongoing investigation on the Mamasapano incident, there is an imperative and urgent need to pause and re-assess our common aspirations to bring peaceful solutions to our nation’s problems,” the group said. -by Genalyn D. Kabiling & Charissa M. Luci , Manila Bulletin
Malacañang aired this warning as it called on groups planning a justice march for the martyred 44 commandos of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) this Sunday to remain vigilant against the possible infiltration by a desperate few instigating a military-backed uprising against President Aquino.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government upholds the people’s freedom of expression but would not tolerate any action that violates the Constitution.
“While we join the commemoration of the heroism of the PNP-SAF44, it is important to be vigilant and watchful of groups that want to take advantage of the grief and use the opportunity to pursue their dubious goal,” Coloma said in a press briefing.
“Let’s observe that in the past days, there have been calls for the resignation of the President coupled with coup threats and other destabilization efforts. These opportunist groups have even used the 29th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution as an occasion to call on the public to wield people power against the government,” he added.
The Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PNPAAAI) had earlier announced plans to hold a “March for Justice for SAF 44” on March 8. The organizers have already issued guidelines to keep the nationwide activity non-partisan and focus on the demand for justice for the slain troopers.
During the EDSA anniversary rites, President Aquino lashed out at desperate groups riding on the Mamasapano incident to derail the peace process.
He lamented that these groups merely criticize the government but do not present alternative solutions to the problem.
Coloma said these groups do not want peace because they will benefit from chaos and violence.
“The government appeals anew for calm and reason.”
‘DAY OF HEALING’
At the Lower House, a group of lawmakers filed House Resolution No. 1952 seeking to declare March 6, 2015, a National Day of Healing for Unity and All-Out-Peace, All-Out-Justice in commemoration of the 40th day of the Mamasapano massacre.
Led by former Justice Secretary and 1-BAP partylist Rep. Silvestre Bello III, the group asked the 290-man Lower Chamber “to lead this nation’s call for calm and sobriety amidst these troubled times, and in unity with the independent efforts of our peace-loving citizens’ peace advocacies and to commemorate the thousands of lives lost from decades of armed conflict in Mindanao.”
“This unfortunate incident has likewise caused a national divide threatening to polarize the country and its peace-loving people, with some sections issuing condemnation, hasty judgment and espousing bloody retaliation and all-out war,” the three-page resolution said.
Joining Bello in filing the resolution are AKBAYAN partylist Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez III, Quezon City Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte, Zambales Rep. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan, Sorsogon Rep. Deogracias Ramos Jr., Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor Gerona Robredo, AMIN party-list Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza, and Lanao del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong.
The lawmakers cited that civil society groups, peace movements and communites across the country have started to unify in a gathering of peace advocates calling for “All-Out-Peace, All-Out-Justice,” which will culminate on the 40th day of the tragic Mamasapano anti-terror raid last Jan. 25.
“In order to maintain calm and sobriety in these tension-filled times and arrive at an objective and impartial result to the ongoing investigation on the Mamasapano incident, there is an imperative and urgent need to pause and re-assess our common aspirations to bring peaceful solutions to our nation’s problems,” the group said. -by Genalyn D. Kabiling & Charissa M. Luci , Manila Bulletin
No wage hike in MM till end of moratorium
This was underscored by Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte as the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) filed a petition for a P136 wage increase for workers in the National Capital Region (NCR).
“Metro Manila is covered by NCR (National Capital Region) and because it’s only March, the last increase was given sometime in May. Necessarily, any figure that they propose would have to be scrutinized by Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board,” Valte said.
“Normally, mga late May yung naalala ko nung huli so you would have to wait for the RTWPBs to convene,” she added.
The first public hearing on the wage petition filed by TUCP was held yesterday.
The TUCP is asking for an additional P136 to the current minimum wage in the metropolis on top of the current P466 minimum wage. - by Madel Sabater - Namit , Manila Bulletin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)