Wages to increase for Metro Manila workers

Metro Manila workforce may have an increase in their every day take home pay.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said that the wage board might implement the increase which may range from Php 13 to Php 21 according to obtainable inflation rate figures.

If based on inflation rate of 3-5 percent, that would amount to Php 13 to Php 21 adjustment. But the wage board has other socio-economic indicators in determining a salary increase, said Baldoz.

In the past, the wage panel has not approved salary increases exceeding Php 30 for minimum income rate in Metro Manila.

On the other hand, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines has requested a Php 90-hike in the minimum wage of employees in Metro Manila.

Baldoz said the board needs to review the present economic situation in the region and then conclude whether to allow a COLA or an hike in the basic pay.

In 2011, the wage board approved only a Php 22 added Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA)for minimum wage workers in Metro Manila.

The Labor Secretary said that in the past, the board can either grant the integration of COLA in the basic pay or augment the basic pay. However, it is really the wage board's discretion to determine the form of wage relief to be given.

She said that with their decision, the wage board also has to consider the multiplier effect of granting a salary hike.

She stressed that the employers and the workers have to have the same opinion throughout discussions on the amount and structure of salary hike. — ARA