No wage hike early this year despite price hikes

MANILA, Philippines - A salary hike early this year is unlikely despite the possibility of increases in fares and in the prices of basic commodities, according to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

Baldoz said there is no reason for the different wage boards to immediately grant wage increase to workers as looming price hikes were factored in in the previous wage order.

“The impending increase in prices of essential commodities and services was already reflected in the last wage order issued by the board, so the workers will have to wait for the anniversary,” Baldoz explained.

Based on Bangko Sentral ng Pilpinas (BSP) data, Baldoz said there was no extraordinary increase in the prices of essential commodities and services that could justify an immediate pay increase.

She said the wage board in the Yolanda-devastated Eastern Visayas had opted to indefinitely suspend wage consultations.

Criselda Sy, National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) executive director, said the recorded inflation rates in various regions were within target “so there is no supervening condition.” 

Last September, the wage board in the National Capital Region (NCR) granted a P10 increase in the daily basic pay of minimum wage earners in the region. The pay hike took effect in October.

The board also ordered the integration of P15 cost of living allowance (COLA) with the daily basic pay starting January.

Aside from Metro Manila, five other wage boards granted wage increases to workers in their respective regions in 2012. – Wih Jess Diaz