Central Visayas workers seek wage hike

MANILA, Philippines - Minimum wage earners in Central Visayas are seeking a salary increase.

Exequiel Sarcauga, Department of Labor and Employment-Central Visayas director, said the regional wage board received three petitions to increase the daily wage from P86 to P161.

Sarcauga said the board set a series of consultations and public hearings to discuss the petitions.

 He said the board would also discuss the possibility of increasing the minimum wage of domestic workers in the region.

Meanwhile, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) reported that the 17 regional wage boards finished their review of the proposal for an across-the-board salary increase of P125.

Patricia Hornilla, acting NWPC chief, said the wage boards submitted their reports to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello.

“The report will serve as the input of the DOLE if asked by Congress concerning the proposed wage hike,” Hornilla said.

The grant of an across-the-board wage increase is beyond the functions of the wage boards, she said.

“The wage boards are mandated to set only the regional and not the national wage rate.  If  Congress decides to introduce a bill, the role of the NWPC is to provide technical advise when asked,”  she added.