Cagayan Valley Workers Demand P100 Daily Wage Hike; Employers Oppose

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela — Workers in Cagayan Valley are seeking a P100 increase in the basic daily wage, while employers are pushing to keep the current P500 minimum wage for private-sector workers. The competing positions were laid out during a Sept. 24 public hearing at the Isabela provincial capitol, where employee representatives said the current wage is not enough to buy basic necessities and support their families. "The P500 minimum wage is no longer enough to buy food for our families and to send our children to school," said a representative of the workers, who asked not to be named. He said that the prices of goods and services have increased significantly in recent months, and that the current wage is not enough to keep up with inflation. "We are asking for a P100 increase in the daily wage. This will help us to provide for our families and to live a decent life," he added. Employers, on the other hand, said that they are not in a position to give a P100 increase in the daily wage. "We are already operating on thin margins. A P100 increase in the daily wage would mean that we would have to lay off some of our employees," said a representative of the employers, who also asked not to be named. He said that the employers are willing to discuss the matter further with the workers, but that they cannot afford to give a P100 increase in the daily wage. "We are open to a compromise. We are willing to consider a smaller increase, but not P100," he added. The public hearing was attended by representatives of both workers and employers, as well as government officials. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is expected to make a decision on the matter in the coming weeks. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo