Labor woes and frozen wages in Davao

Labor woes and frozen wages in Davao

By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
Davao Today
Reposted by Bulatlat.com
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Philippines was recently reported to be the third country in the world that has the lowest salary increases. And that news is not farfetched when Davao workers say they are
working harder but are being paid lesser.

Luis Luchavez, a tireman for a big shipping company, Sulpicio Lines, sees to it that the tires of a 25-tonner forklift are functional. “I only get paid according to the number of tires I repaired. If there are no flat tires, then I am not paid,” he tells Davao Today. There are times when he repairs in the dead of the night, without ever receiving an overtime pay.

A January 17 report carried by the online news businessworld.com cited a study by India-based recruitment platforms MyHiringClub.com andNriJobPortal.com pointing to the country’s salary increment outlook of 4.21 percent in 2012, next to Bulgaria (4.03 percent) and Vietnam (4.13 percent). The country’s performance is way, way below the worldwide average of 10.19 percent.

Luchavez is one of the 1.875 million workers in Davao region. His income is practically based in the number of repairs he makes. “If our bill reaches 4,000 pesos (US$93.74), that’s the time we can get our salary,” he said. Of the whole amount, 50 percent goes to the shop owner, 25 percent for Luchavez and the remaining 25 percent for his fellow tireman.

In the Davao region, the minimum wage is pegged at P286 ($6.7),not enough for a family of six who needs at least P 720 ($16.87) a day, according to the National Statistical Coordination Board.

Ramil Sencio, 38, a factory worker for 20 years, receives the basic pay. Married and with two children, he says, his salary is not enough for their basic needs. “If I have no work, I ply my motorcycle or do electrical jobs for extra income,” he said..... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/02/08/labor-woes-and-frozen-wages-in-davao/