DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod on Wednesday said they expect Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) to continue their ongoing consultations on the proposed P125 across-the-board wage hike.
This is despite the reported rejection of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) of the said proposal the official himself initiated.
“Wala pa naman tayong abiso na ihinto ang consultations so that will have to continue. Ine-expect pa din natin na magsa-submit sila ng report sa National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) sa resulta ng consultation nila,” said Maglunsod in an interview.
On Thursday, reports came out quoting NEDA as saying the proposed P125 across-the-board wage hike for workers in the private sector will not be pushing through as it would only worsen inequality across regions.
Asked whether NEDA’s pronouncements are expected to have an effect in the ongoing consultations of RTWPBs, where the former has a representative, he said there is a possibility.
“Syempre dahil lahat ng panig naman sa wage board ay pinapakingan, magkakaroon ng epekto yan. Pero sa huli, majority decision pa din naman yan,” said Maglunsod.
But according to Partido Manggagawa (PM) Chairman Renato Magtubo, such a position from NEDA may negatively affect the wage consultations.
“NEDA's default position against wage increase demand may negatively affect actions of wage boards on the proposed wage increase,” said Magtubo.
This was seconded by the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), which condemned the position of NEDA.
“NEDA and the employers’ group have always been consistently in opposition to any wage hike and arrogantly push for neo-liberal policies, which includes wage freeze, primarily to attract foreign investments,” said KMU Chairman Elmer Labog.
Maglunsod, who is a former labor leader himself, said it may now be up to the workers to manifest their opposition to NEDA’s pronouncements.
“The ball is now actually with the workers. Dapat ipakita nilang determinado ang mga manggagawa na i-push ito,” said Maglunsod.
He said he personally believes that workers are in need of an adequate wage adjustment considering the high cost of basic commodities.
“Malinaw naman na kailangan ng ating mga manggagawa ang tulong at ng immediate relief dahil sa kanilang maliit na sahod,” said Maglunsod.
It can be recalled that it was Maglunsod who initiated the conduct of consultations on the proposed P125 across-the-board wage hike. (HDT/Sunnex)