Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Sunday directed Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE)Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas to convene the different Regional Wage Boards (RWB's) and come with appropriate adjustments of the salaries of workers in the private sector within 30 days.

Pressured by increasing social discontent and threats of destabilization attempts by some retired military officers, the president convened a meeting with some labor leaders at the presidential palace.

She said that a bill would be submitted to Congress calling for the increase in the salaries of government employees.

Arroyo issued these directives during a launch with labor groups held at Malacanang presidential palace on the occasion of the celebration of the Labor Day, when wide-spread demonstrations were staged across the country calling for curbing inflation and social justice.

Paying tribute to the Filipino workers, Arroyo said the country is blessed for having the best worker in the world hardworking,intelligent, and respected worldwide.

"I am directing Secretary Sto Tomas to convene the Regional Wage Boards to come with appropriately adjusted salaries within 30 days," she said. "They should come out with this adjustments whether there is a request or not."

Sto. Tomas said that the RWB's would come out with their wage adjustment recommendations on or before June 01, 2005.

Directed Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to study the possibility of lessening the amount of withholding tax from workers.

Among other things, Arroyo ordered the holding of dialogue with labor, the possibility of amending the Labor Code, choosing by the Department of Energy of a representative from the labor sector to join the committee currently studying the possibility of amending the Oil Deregulation Law, widely blamed for for the rising of oil price.