New wage hike eyed

THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) plans to file another wage hike petition of P70 to P 80 for workers in Central Visayas, an official said.

The Associated Labor Unions- TUCP marked its 59th founding anniversary yesterday.

Eva Arcos, executive director of the TUCP Workers’ College, said the daily minimum wage of P327 in Metro Cebu had a buying capacity of only P246.24. The take home pay for workers is only P287.12 after deductions like SSS, Philhealth, Pag-ibig and withholding taxes.

The daily minimum wage of workers in Metro Cebu was raised to P327 a day five months ago from the previous P305 per day. Under the Labor Code, a wage hike petition can be entertained one year after the last issuance, unless there’s a supervening condition. Correspondents Tweeny M. Malinao and Jhunnex Napallacan