THE petitioner of the proposed P130 to P150 daily minimum wage increase for workers in the private sector in Western Visayas is hoping for a fair decision from the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).
Joan Cristales, national executive vice president of the Philippine Agricultural, Commercial, and Industrial Workers Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (Paciwu-TUCP), said as members of the labor sector, they also recognize the impact of the tax reform law to the businesses.
Speaking at the last public hearing on wages held in Bacolod City Thursday, Cristales appealed to various management groups in Negros Occidental to also "consider" the workers in their proposals.
After the fourth public hearing, RTWPB in Western Visayas has given labor and management groups until May 21 to submit their position papers on the proposed wage increase in the region.
"We have high regards to the Board that they will give due consideration to all the data, facts and figures to be provided by both sectors," he said, adding that "we really hope for a fair wage increase."
On January 22, prior to the expiration of the existing Wage Order that expired last March 16, Cristales' group filed the petition for wage increase before the RTWPB in Western Visayas.
Paciwu-TUCP has asked for a daily increase of P150 for non-agriculture, industrial, and commercial establishments employing more than 10 workers.
For those with less than 10 employees, the proposed increase was pegged at P130.
Under the petition, agricultural plantations with an area of more than 24 hectares should provide a P140 daily increase. Those with an area of less than 24 hectares, with P130 additional pay.
Hernane Braza, labor representative to the RTWPB in Western Visayas, said though they are backing the proposed P130 to P150 increase, there is a need to follow what is provided by law.
Braza, also the national president of Paciwu, said as members of the collegial body they are tied up with the criteria imposed by RA 6727, or the Wage Rationalization Act.
"We don't want to kill the goose that lay the golden eggs," he said, adding that there is a need to sustain the good relationship between the labor and management sectors to attain a decision for the good of all.
For the management sector, its representative to the Board John Peter Millan has assured that inputs, suggestions, and proposals of business groups will be included in the deliberation.
RTWPB in Western Visayas chairman Johnson Cañete earlier said though it is a difficult assignment for them to come up with a decision that could satisfy both sectors, they assure for a fair wage increase.
It should be based on thorough discussion, Cañete said, adding that "we do not decide in favor of just one group but of both parties."
