Central Visayas workers seek pay hike

MANILA, Philippines — Workers in Central Visayas are seeking an across-the-board wage increase to help them cope with the rising cost of living, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported yesterday.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) received two pay hike petitions from seven labor groups in the region, according to DOLE Central Visayas director Cyril Ticao.

One of the petitions sought a P155.80 increase in the workers’ daily wage while another asked for a P120 pay hike.

“The wage petitions should be presented to the wage board in a public hearing, which is a requirement in fixing wages,” Ticao said.

The wage board will hold four public hearings to discuss the petitions.

The first hearing will be on April 12 in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental.

The second will be in Tagbilaran City in Bohol the following day.

The last two hearings will be on April 26 and May 10 in Cebu City and Bogo City, respectively.

“Wage fixing is done regulary to ensure and protect the welfare of those in the vulnerable sector. The board is tasked to balance the interest of labor and management,” Ticao said.

The board will base their decision on the inputs that will be gathered during the hearings.

All parties opposing the wage hike may file their petitions with the RTWPB during or before the public hearing.

The last  wage order issued in the region was in March last year.

“The petitions will be consolidated and discussed in detail by all sectors concerned during the public hearing,” Ticao said.