The Church is appealing to all employers to be more generous to their workers and laborers in the spirit of charity, Fr. Anecito Buenafe, chairman of the Negros Coalition for Social Change, said at the labor forum held yesterday at the St. Mary Vianney Hall of the St. Sebastian Parish Building in Bacolod City.

He said in crises like this, families with high income must be generous to families with low income because the P12 wage hike approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board is not substantial.

He said the workers have been asking for a P125 across the board wage increase and if employers will agree to it, it will only cut 12 percent of their profit.

Buenafe also said he is appealing to the government to facilitate the legislative agenda that will provide substantial wages for the workers, considering that prices of petroleum products and basic commodities are increasing.

He said that amendment on the Labor Code is necessary because of the series of price increases that also calls for higher wages, adding that there must be a pro-labor stance in the RTWPB to push for benefits for the workers.

Teofilo Agravante, chairperson of Labor Power Council-Negros, also said they want to abolish the RTWPB and replace it with the National Wage Commission that will be chaired by labor workers.

He added that it is for the employers to have sympathy for the workers and give them adequate salaries.

Edwin Balajadia, NCSC secretary general, also said they want the government to strengthen its monitoring of wage standards, ensure that companies follow wage orders, and conduct regular consultations with labor unions and organized labor groups.

He added that government must not only show its concern for workers during Labor Day, but must be consistent in giving better wages to the labor force. *LTG

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