Mindanao wage boards study need for new hikes

The regional wage board for Central Mindanao might order companies to increase workers’ wages even if labor groups had not demanded it.

Gloria Tango, labor director in the region, said all labor officials had to do was check the cost of living in the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato, and the cities within these provinces, to start discussing whether wages have to be increased or not.

Workers in the region currently receive P235-P260 in basic daily wages.

Jessie dela Cruz, secretary of the Central Mindanao wage board, said the board would meet soon to evaluate the need for a wage increase.

In Davao City, an official of the Southern Mindanao wage board said the board was also planning to review the existing wage order in the region to determine if an increase was needed.

Jeoffrey Suyao, Southern Mindanao labor director, said the board would check the current poverty threshold and “other economic indicators like prices of basic commodities” to determine if there was a need for a new wage increase.

The labor department, he said, would also check if employers were paying the correct wages. Those found violating wage orders would be given a chance to correct their mistakes. Edwin Fernandez and Judy Quiros, Inquirer Mindanao