The wage boards, and not Congress, are in a better position to review and adjust workers’ compensation.
This is how the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) reads “between the lines” the Labor Day order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the wage policy making bodies of the government to immediately review and adjust the wages of workers in the country.
For Congress, the call of the President was for the body to enact laws that will uplift the condition of Filipino workers.
“He was basically telling Congress to allow the RTWPB (Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards) to do it (review). That’s what he was saying if you read between the lines. I think he is indirectly telling Congress not to touch (wages). That’s the interpretation (of) employers,” said Sergio Ortiz-Luis, ECOP president.
ECOP has opposed any form of legislated wage increase.
Several House bills are proposing wage hike increases ranging from P150 to P350. The Senate has previously approved the measure proposing a P100 legislated wage increase.
ECOP in its Labor Day statement said the group commits to continue engaging in policy making processes through the scheme of tripartism to ensure a sound policy environment conducive to investment and employment generation.
“(ECOP) vows to also maintain its bipartite relations with the workers at all levels to ensure that the dialogue mechanism enables concrete policy actions and program interventions,” the group said.
ECOP said “it has always been and will always be a staunch partner of our workers in ensuring their welfare and wellness are prioritized above all else.”
“We will continue to advocate for `responsible employers, sustainable business, and inclusive workplace’ ultimately for the benefit of the Philippine labor force,” it added.
