RTWPBs monitor inflation for ‘possible’ wage hike
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) are monitoring the accelerating inflation to see if there is a need for another wage increase amid the consistent rise in the cost of basic commodities.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma’s statement came in the wake of Partido Manggagawa’s call for a P100 across-the-board increase in the country’s minimum wage, citing the 14-year high inflation recorded in the past month.
Laguesma, however, pointed out that RTWPBs just approved an increase in the minimum wage in several regions earlier this year, and these wage orders have only been effective for the past five months, at most.
“Sa ating umiiral na batas, once lang nagkakaroon ng adjustment sa loob ng isang taon. Subalit, siyempre mino-monitor ng ating mga Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards ang kinalaman doon sa mga factors na nagtutulak upang makita natin kung kinakailangan bang magkaroon ng assessment at mangangailangan pa ng adjustment uli,” he said.
The recent wage order for the National Capital Region (NCR) provided a minimum wage increase of P33, while those in Western Visayas would rise by up to P110.
The RTWPBs of other regions like Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Caraga had also approved increases in the minimum wages of workers in their respective jurisdictions.
Inflation in the country has already hit a 14-year high, as it went up to 7.7% from 6.9% in September.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also earlier reported that the value of P1 declined to 85 centavos in October.
Laguesma admitted that there is already an “erosion” of real wages, considering the rise in food, utilities, and transport costs.
However, he said the workers’ needs and the employers’ capacity should be balanced amid the calls for another wage hike.
“Maliwanag ‘yan na merong nakikita tayo na tinatawag natin na erosion ng real wages. ‘Yan naman, makikita na dahilan sa pagtaas ng ating inflation. Dapat isaalang-alang natin ‘yan upang matignan natin paano ba natin babalansehin ‘yung pangangailangan ng ating mangggagawa at ‘yun namang kapasidad ng employer,” he pointed out.
