Employees and employers from the sectors of manufacturing, education, and retail and services in San Pedro City, Laguna gathered together for a united mission at the “Usapang 2Ps: Pasahod at Productivity with Regional Wage Board, DOLE, and BIR Updates” held at the San Pedro City Hall last Thursday, September 4.
Spearheaded by the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SPCCI), the forum became an avenue for employment-related information to take the center stage.
Officials from the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPD), Bureau of Revenue (BIR), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) guided representatives from various business and enterprises in the city in navigating the complex and dynamic issues of wages, taxes and compliance with various laws regarding their businesses.
Following the increase in minimum wage in the National Capital Region last July, understanding how certain conditions and factors play into its formulation is crucial, according to RTWPD IV-A Secretary Atty. Ariel Soriano.
“Kasi kung hindi malinaw sa atin yun, baka ang iniisip lang natin yung wage board nag-me-meeting lang kung saan, sabay naisip lang na adjustment at ‘yun na—kinuha sa hangin yung P200 na nilagay sa minimum wage. Ito ay binubuo ng science at binubuo ng social justice,” he explained.
Business owners were reminded to always consider the distinct qualities of each employee with regard to appropriate salary.
“Pagdating po sa pasahod, hindi po pwede pag-hiwa-hiwalayin niyo yung tatlo po: skills, length of service, at the logical basis of differentiation,” RTWPD IV-A Representative Gener Rivera emphasized.
“Hindi yung wage order ang nagsasabi at nag-de-declare ng pagkakaiba [ng sahod], kung hindi tayo mismo; ang mga kumpanya. Kasi po bakit? Ang ibibigay lang ng RFWP4A, na isang sangay ng DOLE, minimum wage,” he added.
DOLE officials, on the other hand, expressed their hopes that the forum will dismantle any hostility attached to their name, and instead encouraged business companies to cooperate to foster peaceful employer-employee relations.
“Kapag compliant po ang inyong kumpanya, mayroon kayong peace of mind. Kapag alam po ng ating mga workers o empleyado na compliant, hindi sila makakapag-complain dahil alam nilang walang violation ang company,” DOLE Laguna Provincial Director Guido Recio illustrated.
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