By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

With the closure of resort destination Boracay scheduled to commence today, April 26, the General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) said they are looking to exempt Boracay workers from the wage hikes proposed for the Western Visayas.

“In the event there will be a new wage order, it cannot be implemented in Boracay due to absence of economic activity there brought by the closure,” said GAWA Secretary-General Wennie Sancho.

The GAWA official, who also serves as labor representative to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-Region VI (RTWPB-6), said public hearings for the said wage increase proposal are still ongoing, with one scheduled for today at the Capiz Provincial Capitol in Roxas City.

Two other meetings are also scheduled in Iloilo City and Bacolod City next month.

The previous wage order expired last March 16./JSG, WDJ