Editorial

Cost of living vs. capacity to pay

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) got a beating from militant labor groups for its recent issuance of a new wage order increasing the minimum wage of workers in Region 6 by only 15 pesos per day.

For the labor groups the wage hike is a mere pittance and an insult to the dignity of labor.

They have been asking for a P100 across the board wage hike. For them the 15 pesos increase is worthless compared to the spiraling cost of living.

RTWPB, however, in approving the 15-peso wage hike took into consideration the employers' capacity to pay.

“Preventing losses due to economic crisis while providing relief to workers in Western Visayas was the prime consideration in approving the P15 daily wage hike,” thus said DOLE 6 Regional Director and RTWPB Chairman Carlos Boteros.

For the Wage Board there is a need to strike a balance between providing benefits to workers, stabilizing prices, preserving jobs and keeping small businesses to survive above waters.

Wage Order No. RB VI-13 provides a wage increase of P15 per day in basic salary to all covered workers in the region, except in sugar industry, cottage/handi-craft and retail/service sectors employing not more than ten (10) workers whose employees will receive the increase in two tranches – P10 by June 18 and additional P5 by April 16, 2006.

This order shall not apply to household domestic workers and persons in the personal services of another including drivers and workers of registered Barangay Micro-Business Enterprises (BMBE) with Certificates of Authority.

Indeed, the approved wage hike is a pittance. But with the present economic condition of our country we have no choice but accept what is there. It's better than having nothing.