Labor advocates in Northern Mindanao expressed disappointment with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
This came after DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino announced an additional ₱85 daily wage increase in the capital. Tita Hadman, spokesperson of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Northern Mindanao, said they were initially pleased with the announcement but later realized it was not for everyone.
The group lamented that Tolentino only mentioned further talks with private employers in Mindanao regarding the wage hike plan.
Earlier, KMU criticized the staggered wage increases, stressing that the prices of rice and other goods are the same in Luzon and Mindanao.
KMU urged DOLE not to stop at consultations, pointing out that while time passes, the prices of goods continue to rise while wages remain stagnant.
