The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Western Visayas ruled that a petition filed by a Negros-based labor group for a wage increase is valid at a meeting at Hotel del Rio in Iloilo City on Monday, March 21.
“This is the first step of the process. We validated the legality of the petition as to the capacity of the petitioner,” said Labor Regional Director Sixto T. Rodriguez Jr. on the petition for a wage increase filed by the Fishta Union of Employees for Reforms Through Solidarity Actions (FUERSA-Super) on February 24.
FUERSA-Super is seeking a P355 increase in the daily minimum wage.
Wennie Sancho, RTWPB 6 labor representative, earlier said the current minimum wage of P395 per day can no longer protect the vulnerable workers from the onslaught of oil price increases, with the erosion of their purchasing power.
“There is no other way at the moment to boost the wages of the workers, except through a substantial and adequate wage increase in Western Visayas. We are urging the Regional Wage Board to act with urgency. Time is of the essence,” he added.
Jesel S. Gayanelo, FUERSA-Super president, during the RTWPB meeting Monday presented the certification that the labor union was registered with the Bureau of Labor Relations thereby making the petition valid in form and substance.
Rodriguez, RTWPB Western Visayas chairman, said the wage board will determine the merits of the petition through public consultations.
The meeting was also participated by Rebecca M. Rascon of the Department of Trade and Industry as RTWPB vice chair, and representatives from the workers and employers sector.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III earlier directed all RTWPBs to review the minimum wages to help workers and their families cope with the looming oil crisis.*