Labor exec: P22 wage hike for Metro 'win-win' solution

The P22 daily wage hike ordered for Metro Manila is a result of efforts at balancing the needs of workers and the capability of employers to absorb the extra costs. On this note, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board defended Tuesday its order that effectively raises the minimum daily wage from P382 to P404. "(Ang kinonsidera rito), bukod sa pangangailangan ng manggagawa yung kakayahan ng employers mag-absorb ng additional costs in terms of higher minimum wage. Binabalanse kasi yan at maraming ibang factors na tinitingnan sa pagtakda ng minimum wage (We considered not just the needs of the workers but the ability of the employers to absorb the extra costs. We had to strike a balance among so many factors)," National Wages and Productivity Board Deputy Executive Director Patricia Hornilla said in an interview on dzBB radio. She said the wage hike order will take effect 15 days after it is published. But radio dzBB reported Tuesday several militant workers' groups derided the wage order, saying it is not enough to meet their needs. Earlier, militant workers' groups such as the Kilusang Mayo Uno pushed for a P125 legislated wage hike. On the other hand, Hornilla also said consultations are still ongoing in other regions. She said the wage orders will be made once public hearings and deliberation are done there. The P22 wage hike for Metro Manila workers comes more than two years after the last wage order was issued. Last March, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines filed a wage petition calling for a P75 across-the-board wage increase. The regional wage board last approved a wage hike of P20 in June 2008. — LBG, GMANews.TV