Public hearings set on new minimum wage
SAN FERNANDO CITY – Public hearings will be conducted by the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Region 1 starting Tuesday to gauge the opinion of the people on the minimum wage issue.
Department of Labor and Employment regional director Guerrero Cirilo, chairman of RTWPB in Region 1, said the public hearings will start in Pangasinan on Tuesday, July 4 and will move on to La, Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.
The public hearing in Pangasinan will be held 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday at the Pangasinan Merchant Marine Academy on Perez Boulevard in Dagupan City.
Cirilo explained that the RTWPB decided motu propio to conduct public hearings due to the clamor of workers for adjustment in their wages.
However, the increase is, being opposed by employers who cited their inability to grant the wage increase at this time due to poor business climate as a result of the economic crisis, triggered by the escalating cost of fuel in the world market.
“The criterion on needs of workers indicates a pressure to adjust wages. However, the other criteria such as the capacity to pay of employers, comparative wages across regions and requirements of economic development appear to negate any adjustment in the prevailing minimum wage levels,” Cirilo said.
Cirilo said the views gathered from these public hearings shall provide useful information for the Board to come up with a decision on the wage issue that is acceptable to all sectors concerned and responsive to the economic situation obtaining in the region.
Invited to attend the public hearings are employees, employers, consumers and members of the educational and socio-civic sector of the society, and of the media.
The other members of RTWPB in Region I are National Economic and Development Authority Director Leonardo Quitos Jr., vice chairman; Department of Trade and Industry Director Florante Leal, Jerry Parlan and Salvador Poserio, employers’ representatives; and Eliseo Flora and Demetrio Ruiz Jr., workers’ representatives.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
