2 Mayo 2024, Huwebes
Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan
Wage boards works on pay hike petitions
By J.Lo
“Review has already started…we don’t need to be ordered…we have mandate and we are obliged to perform our responsibility,” Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma told reporters different Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) have started review of existing minimum wage rates in their respective regions.
“Even without order process has started in all regions…we are looking into it and gathering information that will lead to public consultation,” Laguesma said.
During Labor Day celebration in Malacañang, Laguesma said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.directed all RTWPBs to start review of existing wage rates.
Laguesma explained RTWPBs are authorized to start review 60 days before expiration of one-year effectivity of last wage order.
“Sixty days before it lapses, there’s pending adjustment…as to how much, that will be determined by members of RTWPBs,” he noted.
Department of Labor and Employment-National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR) director Sara Mirasol said they will start review and conduct public consultation within month and workers can expect possible pay hike.
Mirasol said RTWPB in NCR has not received any formal petition for salary hikes, but they will conduct review and public consultation. “We are discussing it this month…we are not saying there’s something to be expected, but we will seriously consider increasing minimum wage,” Mirasol added.
She noted effectivity of last wage order in NCR was July 16, 2023. “It’s nearing anniversary date so we can already conduct consultation even without petition,” she said.
Laguesma noted wage orders issued by RTWPB not only benefit minimum wage earners but also those receiving higher pay due to wage distortion. But those receiving higher than minimum wage can opt to negotiate with their employers for salary increase.
To commemorate Labor Day, thousands of workers took to streets yesterday and pushed for immediate passage of pending measures granting P150 legislated wage increase.
Workers insisted increase given by RTWPBs is inadequate to enable workers to cope with rising prices of essential commodities.
They also claimed existing wage rates are discriminatory, since existing daily pay in some regions is lower than others.
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