P150 wage hike for Western Visayas workers sought

A labor group is seeking an increase in the daily minimum wage of private sector workers in Western Visayas.

United Labor-Panay filed before the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-6) a petition asking for a P150 hike in the daily basic pay.

Currently, the minimum wage in the region is P480 for employers with more than 10 workers, P450 for those with 10 or fewer, and P440 for agricultural workers.

Elmer Forro, United Labor-Panay spokesperson, said the proposed increase would help boost the region’s economy.

Higher wages, according to him, translate to improved purchasing power for workers, who are also consumers.

“These, in turn, will benefit businesses as our workers are likely to spend their earnings on products and services,” Forro stressed.

The proposed wage increase, once approved, will cover workers in private establishments in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.IMT