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Hopes of a possible wage increase in 2010 would be unlikely, according to the Department of Labe and Employment (DOLE). Labor secretary Marianito Roque said that for the second straight year, workers nationwide are unlikely to get any salary hike. “I don’t think that there will be any wage increase because there is no economic basis,” he said.

Roque noted that all indicators for salary increases, including oil prices, remained low at this point. He cited a report from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and said that the increase in food price at this time is only temporary. “The increase in price in cooking gas and other basic commodities according to NEDA is only holiday-related and would go down soon after the holiday season is over,” he pointed out.

The labor secretary also said the even oil companies have rolled back prices. He said this was among the factors being considered by wage boards in granting salary hikes to wage earners.

Likewise, the different Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) may also not undertake the annual wage review unless there is formal petition for wage hike filed by labor groups in 2010. “Since there is no supervening event to warrant review, the wage boards are unlikely to conduct a wage review,” Roque added.

The only factor that could motivate the boards to grant a salary increase, according to Roque, is an extraordinary increase in prices of basic commodities. He advices the labor sector to take a look at the productivity in the country before seeking a wage increase.

In 2008, the different wage boards granted salary increases, the highest hike of which was P20 which was in Metro Manila.