THE CEBU Labor Coalition is expected to file today a petition for a P145.10 increase in the minimum daily wage for workers in the Central Visayas Region. The coalition’s spokesperson, Metudio Belarmino, Jr., said prices of basic commodities have soared, crippling the purchasing power of workers. Mr. Belarmino also cited the rise in fuel prices, which is expected to push up the fare for public utility jeepneys (PUJ). He said the labor sector is hopeful that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board RTWPB-Region 7 will consider the new petition despite the last wage hike of P13 per day implemented only last March. Under the law, the RTWPB is not supposed to implement a wage increase within a year after the last increase unless there are supervening conditions such as increases in the price of fuel and basic commodities, cost of living, and inflation rate. Mr. Belarmino said that based on their computation, the presence of supervening conditions is very clear. Glenn Anthony Soco, president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the business sector will have a difficult time absorbing a new round of wage hike. “We need a more realistic and practical proposal from our labor sector,” Mr. Soco said. — The Freeman

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR