Consultations on proposed wage hike set

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has directed all Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB) to conduct nationwide consultations on the legislative measures proposing for a P125 across-the-board general wage increase in the private sector.

“I have instructed all Regional Wage Boards to convene and review the anticipated legislative measures on the P125 wage increase. All workers, regardless of whether they are agricultural or non-agricultural, deserve equal treatment under the law,” said Bello in

a statement.

He added that the nationwide consultations were aimed at studying legislative measures on the P125 wage increase for workers in the private sector which will be filed in the 17th Congress.

The consolidated findings from the consultations to be conducted by the 17 Regional Wage Boards will be submitted to the Office of the Secretary not later than Sept. 14.

Bello said the proposed P125 across-the-board wage hike had been filed even during the 13th Congress.

“The proposal for a P125 across-the-board increase has been filed before. We foresee that the same measures will be refiled in the 17th Congress,” said Bello.

He added that the wage boards will consult with workers and employers groups, as well as other government agencies, during the nationwide consultations to determine if prevailing wage and socioeconomic conditions would warrant a P125 across-the-board wage adjustment.