Business groups oppose wage hike in Negros Occidental, W. Visayas

ILOILO CITY—Business leaders have asked the government to reconsider the granting of a P15-P25 increase in daily minimum wage in Negros Occidental and provinces in Western Visayas, saying this would result in layoffs and stunted growth and investments.

Militant labor groups are also unsatisfied with the increase, calling it “loose change.”

In an appeal to the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board, nine business leaders sought a review of the pay adjustments stated in Wage Order No. 23, which will take effect on March 16 and covers private firms in Western Visayas and Negros Occidental.

The order sets the daily minimum wage for those employed in firms with more than 10 workers in industrial or commercial and nonagriculture sectors from P298.50 to P323.50. In companies with 10 workers and below, the rate is P271.50, from P256.50.

In the agriculture sector, workers in plantations will receive P281.50, up from P266.50, and those in non-plantations, P271.50, up from P256.50.

The business leaders said the approved rate was beyond the capacity of most business firms. They are pushing for an increase of up to P12 daily only.

The statement of appeal was signed by Juan Jose Jamora III, chair of the Iloilo Business Club Inc.; Donna Rose Ratilla, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.-Iloilo; Fanny Uy, president of the Iloilo Multi-Sectoral Business Organization; Ramon Cua Locsin, president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Panay Inc.; and Francis Chung, president of the Philippine Retailers Association-Iloilo.

Other signatories were Happy Abenir, president of the Iloilo Hotels Restaurants and Resorts Association; Dawn Jamandre, president of the Panay Organic Producers Association; Valerie Maravilla, president of the Ilonggo Producers Assocation; and Herminio Maravilla, president of the Chamber of Real Estate Builders Association-Iloilo.

“The businessmen are not against the increase but the amount should reflect the economic activities in the region,” the groups said.

The Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bacolod City is also considering to file an appeal for a lower wage increase, said Frank Carbon, its chief executive officer.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno in Panay said the new pay rate was not enough to cope with the increasing cost of living.