Negros Labor Official Urges ‘Emergency Relief’ for Workers

The Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board VI labor representative Winnie Sancho last week urged employers and the local government units to give emergency relief to workers to stave off the debilitating effects of high prices of rice and other basic commodities.

BY KARL G. OMBION
LABOR WATCH
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 12, April 27-May 3, 2008

Sancho made this public appeal amid the continuing debates between the labor and employers’ camps over workers’ demand for wage hikes as well as non-cash benefits.

Immediate relief

“While the issue of how much workers’ wages should be increased is being debated, it is imperative that our workers must be given some emergency relief and support like non-cash benefits, cash advances, tax cuts, farm lots, farm tools and inputs, and livelihood projects to be able to cope up with the economic hardships brought by the soaring of prices of basic commodities,” Sancho said.

Sancho said that while there is already a petition from some Negros Occidental labor groups for a P50 ($1.189 at an exchange rate of $1=P42.04) wage increase, the employers and the local government units must give some emergency support for the workers because the demand for wage hike will still go through a tedious and often frustrating process for the labor sector.

He said it will take at least two months to finalize the new wage order, and added that if ever a new wage hike is approved, it will take a few months before it could take effect. “In the meantime, our workers will continue to agonize in economic hardships,” Sancho said.

“In fact, per our study, the workers in Western Visayas need at least an immediate P80.00 ($1.90) adjustment in their salary to be able to cope for now,” he added.

Sancho also revealed that his office has been getting appeals from various labor groups for immediate support because they could hardly cope anymore with their daily meals, while some have been begging for rice, sardines and noodles.

“Some seasonal and contractual farm workers have sought my help for the use of government and private idle farm lots and other farm inputs so they could grow food crops for their survival,” he added.

Sancho said he will make representations to some business groups and local government units for their possible immediate relief assistance to the workers.

Wage hike exemption for business

Meanwhile, Sancho warned that as in the past, majority or 60-80 percent of businesses in Region VI will likely get exemption from a new wage hike being processed by the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB).

Sancho’s statement came after Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) VI Director Aida Estabello claimed wage compliance in the region is 72 percent, although this was based only on 129 establishments “visited.”

Sancho disclosed that of the total 21,028 wholesale and retail businesses in the region, 20,909 are micro-enterprises with 10-99 workers; 95 are medium enterprises with 100-199 workers; and only 16 are big enterprises with 200 and more workers.

Under labor laws, Sancho explained, micro-enterprises, including cooperative-run enterprises, can apply for exemption from wage order coverage, provided that they show their records and must formally apply for exemption.

“The data shows that practically 99.5 percent of businesses in the region with an estimated workforce of at least 630,000 are already automatically or can easily get exemption from wage order implementation; this leaves us only 111 with estimated 22,200 workers who will be subjected to wage order implementation,” Sancho said.

Sancho said if those in the agricultural sector are taken into account, the number of those exempted could increase considerably given its rampant practice of contractualization, “pakyao” system (piecemeal work) and other labor flexibility schemes, especially in sugar plantations farms.

Big business can afford wage hike

“Majority are already automatically exempted, while the few big ones can still maneuver or negotiate for crumbs of increase,” Sancho lamented.

“If we really be factual and sincere about the wage orders, they are practically nothing because many are exempted, and those that are not, have low compliance rate,” the labor official added.

Despite these, Sancho appeals to the business sector to be considerate and human enough to share with their laborers the fruits of their hard labor. “We are your partners in your economic growth because without us your capital would be useless; so, give us a just share in your profit,” he said.

The labor official also urged the local government units especially the DoLE to help ensure that employers comply with their economic obligations to their workers by undertaking effective monitoring and enforcement campaign.

Sancho particularly encouraged LGUs to put up some kind of “Task Force Bantay Sweldo (Wage Watch)” with sufficient logistical support to undertake the monitoring and enforcement of wage compliance among businesses in their respective areas of responsibility, and initiate support services for workers. Bulatlat