Regional tripartite wage board starts public consultation on wage hike

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-7 is now conducting a series of public consultations among workers and employers groups whether a petition for wage increase should be filed and how much should it be.

Jose Tomongha, one of the labor representatives to the wage board, said that they have already conducted public hearing in Bohol on May 14. Another consultation is scheduled on May 21 for Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

Tomongha said a public consultation will also be held in Bogo City, Cebu on May 28 for the Northern part of Cebu. On June 11, the last public consultation will be held in Cebu City.

Tomongha said the RTWPB-7 will collate all the data gathered during these public consultations to serve as springboard in the discussions whether or not a wage petition should be entertained.

Tomongha, who is also the chairman of the Alliance of Progressive Labor-Central Visayas, said that their group did not pursue its plan to file a petition for P5 wage increase to avoid being misinterpreted by the workers.

“Kay kung ipadayon na namo nga P5 ra among gipangayo nga wage increase, basin masuko ang mga workers namo nga gamay ra among gipangayo,” said Tomongha.

He added that the same way also with the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines. ALU-TUCP earlier planned to ask a P1 wage hike as a sign of protest.