Editorial

How much wage hike?

        Wage earners in the National Capital Region are making noises --- the petition for wage increase . Those in Metro Manila ask for a P334 hike, making it to more than P700 a day to cope with the rising cost of living amid high inflation rate in the country. But what the group of employers could give is P20 a day, which to the workers is a “slap on their face.”

        Here in our region, the wage earners seem to be silent on this pleading… we only hear murmurs of dissatisfaction but not openly expressive through staging of rallies. Not that the workers here are contented with the daily minimum wage but perhaps because of non-militancy stance and rather wait for the wage hike to come, if at all. 

        Let’s face the fact, today’s minimum wage is really very minimal and could hardly match the cost of basic necessities. What’s more, a low earning family has nothing to save for contingencies or emergencies. By the time Christmas holidays come, the bonuses will be like scratch because of the diminishing peso value. In Region-12, the daily minimum wage is just over P300, hoping this wage law is religiously implemented by the employers.

        Malacañang said it will leave to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board the petition for wage increases.  “So the Palace will respect whatever the decision of the wage board is,” said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a Palace press briefing.

        The cost of living is relative and differs from one region to another. Financial analysts say that P1,100 is somehow the ideal sum for a day-to-day subsistence and decent living. But to grant this as a daily minimum wage is a dream-set in contrast to affordability to pay, otherwise many firms will close shop. Either we stay put with the current minimum for wage earners or quit jobs… which way then? No sane person will just quit job for the family goes penniless. Looking for another job with a promising pay is an option… but which way to go?  We hear that medical practitioners have also increased their consultation fees because of high inflation. Even high professionals seek higher fees at this time and how much more for lowly wage earners.

        There must be an economic balance somewhere to cushion the effects of high inflation and cost of living. For the moment, it’s an eye gazing between employees and employers. What is a just wage is far the comfort of the labor sector. Employers gain in production or business and to give the just wage is the reward for the labor sector.

        For the moment, let us wait how the wage board would determine the wage increases. So be it now. Can we still tighten our belts, folks?