Western Visayas labor group seeks wage hike amid oil price increases
DRY PUMP Several pumps in a gasoline station in Tagbilaran City, the provincial capital of Bohol, run out of diesel on Tuesday as vehicle owners start filling their tanks on Monday night, ahead of the big-time fuel price increase this week. —LEO UDTOHAN
BACOLOD CITY — Workers in Western Visayas on Friday appealed for additional wage following the recent increases in the price of petroleum products.
Wennie Sancho, secretary general of General Alliance of Workers Association, said the “supervening condition” or event would contribute to the downward pressure on the rate of the minimum wage earners, particularly for those who are at the lower end of the wage scale.
Sancho, who is also the labor representative on the Regional Wage Board, said the current minimum wage of ₱395 per day could no longer protect the vulnerable workers from the onslaught of price increases, with the erosion of their purchasing power.
“Increasing wages is the most effective way of improving the lives of the workers,” Sancho said.
“There is no other way at the moment to boost the wages of the workers, except through a substantial and adequate wage increase in Western Visayas. We are urging the Regional Wage Board to act with urgency. Time is of the essence. Labor will push for an adequate amount of wage increase,” he added.
