Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III expressed support for a plan by organized labor to seek another round of wage increases this year to enable workers to cope with increasing prices of commodities.
He said the P340 daily minimum wage in Central Visayas needs to be reviewed.
“Tan-awn una. Ikompara sa una. Nagkataas man gud ang mga needs sa tawo. Tan-awn gyud nato. (Study it first. Let them make a comparison. Human needs are also increasing. They have to really look into this),” he said, addressing the wage board.
The Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) will be seeking a P1 increase while the Partido ng Manggagawa will ask for a P5 increase.The tiny amount is intended to “shame” the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board and force the board to grant a bigger increase.
Both petitions are due to be filed with the wage board this week.
Davide said he was confident the wage board would weigh the matter carefully.
“We respect the laborers. The board should look into this aspect of wage increase,” he said.
For Leo Calledo, his P8,000 monthly wage is not enough to support the needs of his six children, two of whom are in college.
The 38-year-old utility worker was waiting for President Benigno Aquino III to announce a wage hike last May 1, Labor Day, but ended up disappointed.
There was none.
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