DABAWENYO workers lauded the new minimum wage set by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTPWB)-Davao of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) effective on December 16.
Earlier, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III announced before the media that a salary adjustment for minimum wage earners was approved and set to be enjoyed by the Dabawenyos before the year ends.
“The salary adjustment is effective in Region 11 (Davao Region) and Davao City is part of Region 11 so you are affected by the wage hike. You are blessed that you are here,” Bello said.
“The implementation of wage increase is a good news, it adds somehow to what workers can bring home to their families,” Mercury Steamship Agencies Inc. utilityman/IT assistant Adrian Ybas said.
Convergys Davao call center representative Kate Princess Piedad, for her part, said that although it's just a small amount, it is a welcome increase.
“Although the increase is not that big but it's already a good start and improvement,” Piedad said.
University of Southeastern Philippines-College of Education (Usep-Ced) Office/Technical Staff Gabriel Paolo Gador commended the effort of the government to increase the minimum wage and hearing the petition of labor groups following the high prices of commodities nowadays.
“That P23 increase is of great help,” Gador said, noting that especially he is a working student, although the increase is not that high but at least there is a little improvement that would augment his daily expenses and transportation allowance.
The wage hike for workers in agriculture is P28.00 for their basic wage per day shall be implemented.
While for workers in retail and service employing not more than 10 workers, an increase of P29.00 basic wage per day will be implemented for minimum wage earners.
By May 1, 2017, an additional of P10 basic wage increase shall be made as the P5 Cost of Living Allowance as stipulated in Wage Order No. RB 11 - 18 to all workers under all nature of businesses will be integrated into the basic wage.