P15–P30 pay hike effective November 27

MINIMUM wage earners in Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental, may start receiving the P15 to P30 daily pay hike on November 27 this year.

This after the secretariat of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Western Visayas has published the new Wage Order on Monday, November 11.

Wennie Sancho, labor representative to the RTWPB-Western Visayas, said the effectivity of the Wage Order is 15 days after the publication.

Sancho, also the secretary general of the General Alliance of Workers Associations (Gawa), said this welcome development is sort of an early Christmas gift for the workers as this will be included in their 13th month pay.

“We hope that this increase could somehow stabilize the purchasing power of the workers especially that we are approaching the Christmas season,” he added.

The labor leader also this is a long-waited wage increase which was approved last October 22, as they seek for the cooperation of the management to comply with the new Wage Order.

Under Wage Order No. 25, a P30 daily pay hike is provided for workers among non-agriculture, industrial and commercial establishments employing more than 10 employees.

From the current P350 plus cost of living allowance (Cola) of P15, totaling to P365 per day, the new rate would be P395.

Employees from establishments with less than 10 workers will get an additional of P15, making the new wage rate P310 per day.

For the agricultural sector, plantation workers will receive a P20 increase. So from the current P295 per day, the new minimum wage rate under this sector is P315.

The labor sector also asked the management that, if possible, they should not wait for the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Wage Order.

Sancho explained that the reckoning date of the implementation would be the same even if they have to wait for the IRR. Though, only some employers normally wait for the implementing rules.

“Since the effectivity is still the same, it will still be retroactive,” Sancho said, adding that Gawa is open to reports and complaints on non-compliance to the new Wage Order.

They urged the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) to increase its personnel especially when it comes to conducting inspection whether the wage increase is faithfully implemented in the region.

The members of the RTWPB-Western Visayas are set to meet in Iloilo City on November 21.

The management has 10 days after the publication to contest, or make an appeal, the order.

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