EIGHT wage petitions are currently pending before four Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) ahead of the celebration of Labor Day.
In a televised public briefing, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said the eight wage petitions were filed by different labor groups and workers unions.
“What we know is that there are eight petitions filed and pending in the different RTWPBs in different regions,” said Benavidez.
In the National Capital Region, wage petitions have been filed by the Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa (P100) and the Unity for Wage Increase Now (P571).
For Calabarzon, wage petitions were filed by the Organisasyon ng mga Manggagawa sa EMI (P100) and the Metal Workers Alliance of the Philippines (P280).
In Western Visayas, salary hike bids were filed by the United Labor-Western Visayas (P100) and the Iloilo Pepsi Cola Workers Independent Union (P100).
And in Central Visayas, the wage petitions were filed by the Cebu Labor Coalition et al (P292.50) and the Partido Manggagawa et al (P100).
Increasing the wages is one of the primary demands of workers ahead of Labor Day on May 1.
This is due to the soaring inflation rate in the country that has diminished the real value of the minimum wage.
Asked if there is the possibility of wage orders being issued in time for Labor Day, Benavidez said they are leaving the matter to the regional wage boards.
“We will leave it to the processes and mechanisms established in determining if there is a need to revise the existing minimum wages in the different regions,” said Benavidez.
Under the Wage Rationalization Act, the minimum wage rates shall be established by the regional wage boards.
