The labor sector of the Tripartite Industry Productivity Council (TIPC) in Negros Oriental is hoping that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) will declare that there is a supervening condition to implement the wage increase in Central Visayas.
According to Glenn Favor, representing the labor sector of TIPC-Negros, the province has the highest inflation rate, highest prices of gasoline and electricity compared to other provinces in Central Visayas, a region that comprises Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) reported that Negros Oriental has an inflation rate of 1.6 percent higher compared to Cebu. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the province is 194.5 percent with a difference of 15.9 percent higher compared to Cebu with only 178.5 percent only.
The cost of electricity in Negros Oriental has also increased by 25 percent while the price of gasoline and other petroleum products rose by 24 percent.
Favor said it is obvious that there is a price increase in all basic commodities and services which they claimed would support a supervening condition for the RTWPB to declare a wage increase.
A representative of the Herminio Teves Company Incorporated (HTCI) Sugar Milling suggested giving dividend sharing to the employees if they cannot afford to give a wage increase.
Engr. Greg Uymatiao, vice chairman of TIPC-Negros Oriental, explained that the recent increase in the prices of basic commodities and services has also affected the companies. He suggested to the members of the board to wait two to three months so that the management sector can have enough time to determine the fair amount of wage increase.
According to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) OIC Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga, they will review all the comments of the labor sector and the management in order to come up with a fair and reasonable solution.
The decision is expected within the week or before the end of June. He said the members of the board will have to agree on whether there is a supervening condition to determine the implementation of wage increase in Central Visayas. (PNA/Maricar Aranas)