LEGAZPI CITY, (PNA) — The labor sector in Bicol is asking for a P37.16 increase in the daily wage of agricultural and non-agricultural workers in the region.
The amount of increase is contained in a joint petition recently filed with the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) by the Alliance on Progressive Labor, Pinagkaisang Manggagawa sa Kooperatiba sa Kuryente-Bicol and the Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative Independent Union Employees (CINDUEM).
The petitioners justify the amount of increase as recovery of real wage in the amount of P66.43 for non-agriculture and P60.11 for agriculture which the sector sought in a petition last year but was not granted in full.
They are also asking for the activation of the Regional Tripartite Monitoring Board to ensure compliance by employers in the region with the new minimum wage that the RTWPB is expected to set based on the petition.
DOLE Regional Director Nathaniel Lacambra, who also sits as RTWPB chair, said the board will start a series of public hearings on the petition in all the six provinces of Bicol early next month.
The hearings, expected to be attended by management and labor representatives, are scheduled on Oct. 3 in Masbate, Oct. 8 in Catanduanes, Oct. 10 in Sorsogon, Oct. 17 in Camarines Sur, Oct. 18 in Camarines Norte and Oct. 21 in Albay, Lacambra said.