THE labor group the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (NAGKAISA)yesterday said all workers deserve to have their salaries increased, not just minimum wage earners.
NAGKAISA made the statement in response to the directive of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for all Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) to look into the necessity of having another round of wage hike in the country.
“We welcome the wage review to be initiated by the Labor department but would prefer an across-the-board wage increase to cover all wage earners, whose incomes were also eroded across-the-board by soaring inflation,” said NAGKAISA chairman Sonny Matula.
He said an across-the-board adjustment of salaries is possible with the help of lawmakers.
“Other than the regional wage boards, Congress holds the power to legislate wage hikes, such as the demand of P100 across-the-board salary increase,” said Matula.
As to the actions of the regional wage boards, the labor leader urged the former to push through with the new round of salary adjustments.
This, he said, is because the law allows a new wage increase within the 12-month period from the last one, in case there is a supervening condition, such as an extraordinary increase in prices of petroleum products, basic goods, and services, as determined by regional wage boards.
“Despite the one-year ban, wage adjustment is allowed by the wage rationalization law under the principle of supervening event,” noted Matula.
He said they are also hopeful that a new round of wage hike would be granted immediately and substantially.
“History would tell us that wage hike decisions are, in most cases, come so little and too late in many regions,” said Matula.
On Tuesday, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma bared that all regional wage boards have been directed to monitor the situation in their respective areas and determine if it warrants another round of wage adjustment.
The order comes after the inflation rate last October surged to 7.7 percent, which is the highest since December 2008.
Aside from possible salary adjustments, Laguesma said the government is also looking into the possibility of providing workers with non-wage benefits.
He disclosed that several subsidies are being eyed for the benefit of workers, especially minimum wage earners.
“We are looking at possible subsidies for fuel, power, and basic commodities being provided to workers,” said Laguesma in a television interview, adding the program is already being discussed during Cabinet meetings.
In particular, the labor chief said they are in close coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, and National Economic and Development Authority.
“We should be in this together so that whatever solution we can come up with, these departments will have their respective participation,” said Laguesma.
