NEARLY P4 billion in wages has been held up amid a dispute over the implementation of Wage Order 27, according to the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, which on Wednesday urged labor officials to defend and implement the wage order.
At a wage consultation called by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) at the Occupational Safety and Health Center in Quezon City, Nagkaisa challenged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), and RTWPB-NCR to uphold the wage-setting process.
Nagkaisa said 40 days had passed since the wage order was issued.
The coalition estimated that P2.244 billion had yet to reach 1.1 million direct beneficiaries of the P60 wage increase.
It added an estimated P1.734 billion involving 1.7 million workers who could be affected by wage distortion, using an illustrative average of P30.
The coalition placed the total estimated impact at P3.978 billion, or nearly P4 billion.
“It may only look like P60 on a single payslip. But multiply that across millions of workers and multiply it by the days spent waiting — billions of pesos are being lost. Small change on paper, food on the dining table,” Nagkaisa Chairman and Federation of Free Workers President Sonny Matula said.
Nagkaisa and FFW called on DOLE, NWPC, and RTWPB-NCR to support labor’s petition before the Supreme Court.
The labor group said that if the government maintains that the Regional Trial Court lacked jurisdiction, it should seek decisive relief instead of waiting for the comment period to lapse or for the RTC to act on its own timetable.
“Ten days may be procedural time in court. For a minimum wage worker, those ten days mean food, fare and bills. DOLE should act, not watch the calendar,” Matula said.
Nagkaisa and FFW also called on DOLE to issue clear guidance to employers, warning that continued uncertainty could lead to workplace disputes involving wage differentials, arrears and wage distortion.
The group said employers that failed to pay the mandated increase could face retroactive wage liabilities and double indemnity under Republic Act 8188 if the RTC restraints are ultimately declared void and Wage Order 27 is found legally enforceable.
Nagkaisa also said possible criminal liability could arise, subject to the requirements of the law.
“The safer course is compliance. The P60 not paid today could turn into arrears and double indemnity tomorrow. Savings today, double the headache in the end,” Matula said.
Nagkaisa also challenged the wage boards to defend the orders they issue.
