Palace hopes for “acceptable” wage hike for both workers, employers

October 28, 2018

Malacanang on Sunday said the government is hoping that an "acceptable" decision could be reached amid petition by the labor groups for new wage increase.

“The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) is now conducting public hearings between employer groups and workers and we hope a decision, which is acceptable to both parties, would be made soon,” said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

“For the time being, the government has decisively acted to tame inflation,” he added.

Panelo said the Filipinos can feel the effects of prices going down after the Departments of Agriculture and of Trade and Industry launched the Suggested Retail Price program and prescribed labelling for milled rice to protect consumers from profiteers.

He said the Office of the President, together with the relevant agencies of the government, “will closely monitor inflation to ensure that our economy will continue to be advantageous to the Filipino people.”

Malacanang has said that the regional wage boards have the final say on whether or not to approve any petition seeking high salaries.

Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines has insisted on a P334-wage increase in Metro Manila despite possible objections from employers.

The ALU-TUCP petitioned for a P320 salary hike in June, but it adjusted the amount to P334 due to high inflation rate. Ella Dionisio/DMS