Cebu City, Cebu – The Central Visayas Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-7) gathered yesterday (Thursday) for the first round of deliberations on the actual rate of minimum wage increase for workers in the region.
Although no figure was disclosed yet as of press time yesterday, labor sector representative Ernesto Carreon was hopeful that the wage board would come up with a P25 – P30 daily minimum wage hike.
Carreon said while the labor group will stand on its petition for a P90 daily wage increase, they are ready to hold discussions with the management sector for an increase that will not be less than P25.
The Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) is seeking a P130 daily wage increase while the Associated Labor Union – Trade Union Congress of Philippines (ALU-TUCP) is asking for a P90 per day wage increase.
Carreon told reporters that based on the history of the wage board, the management sector never agrees to a daily wage increase higher than P30. Last year, the RTWPB-7 raised the minimum wage in Central Visayas by P22, increasing the daily minimum wage from P305 to P327.
Yesterday’s first round of deliberation was conducted after the RTWPB-7 had help public consultation in Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, and Negros Oriental provinces.
“We are hopeful that the wage board would already be able to come up with the rate of increase,” said Carreon, adding that otherwise, the next deliberation will be held on February 14.
A year has passed since the last minimum wage increase in the region was approved and Carreon said the RTWPB-7 will no longer discuss whether or not there is a supervening condition that would warrant the approval of a wage increase.
Under the rules, a RTWPB is not allowed to adjust worker’s salaries for a year after an increase is implemented, unless it finds that supervening conditions exists.
“The one year period has lapsed last December 8, 2013,” said Carreon. “The labor groups have agreed to wait until the one-year period has expired so that we won’t have to argue with the management sector on whether or not a supervening condition is present.”

Source: Manila Bulletin - February 7, 2014