BACOLOD CITY — The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-6 will conduct public hearings in four provinces in Western Visayas on the proposed PHP130 to PHP150 daily minimum wage increase.
Wennie Sancho, labor representative to the RTWPB-6, said on Monday that before deliberating on the proposal, the board needs to conduct the public hearings.
The hearing on April 24 will be held at Aklan State University in Kalibo and on April 26 at Capiz Provincial Capitol in Roxas City.
In Iloilo City, the hearing will be held on May 8 while in Bacolod City, on May 10.
Wage Order No. 23, which sets the region’s minimum from PHP271.50 and PHP323.50, expired on March 16, 2018.
The latest petition was filed last January 22 by the Philippine Agricultural, Commercial, and Industrial Workers Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines through its national vice president for Visayas Joan Cristales.
The group sought an increase of PHP150 among non-agriculture, industrial and commercial establishments employing more than 10 workers and PHP130 among those with less than 10 employees.
They asked an additional wage of PHP140 for workers of agricultural plantations with an area of more than 24 hectares and PHP130 for those working in an area with less than 24 hectares.
Sancho had earlier said the new wage order should be issued within 45 days after the conclusion of the last public hearing.
He pointed out that given the current conditions, with prices of fuel and other commodities likely to rise further, immediate action would mean a relief for consumers and workers in Western Visayas. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
