Wage board raises Region 6 minimum wage by P15

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz yesterday announced that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, of Region 6 has approved a P15.00 per day wage increase, setting the new minimum wage in the region at P265.00 per day for non-agricultural establishments employing more than 10 workers; P223.00 for non-agricultural establishments employing 10 workers or less; P233.00 for workers in the agricultural plantation sector; and P223 for workers in the agriculture–non plantation sector.

The wage hike, contained in Wage Order No. RB-VI-18 issued by the RTWPB last July 9, comes in the heels of the P22 increase ordered by the RTWPB of the National Capital Region earlier this month.

The new minimum wage rates shall apply to all minimum wage earners in the private sector in the region, regardless of their position, designation, or status of employment, and method by which they are paid.
It, however, allows distressed establishments and new business enterprises a one-year exemption from the payment of the new minimum wage, upon application with and approval of the RTWPB. The period for application for exemption shall be within 75 days from publication of its approved Implementing Rules.

The new Wage Order was issued on the basis of a petition filed by the Trade Union of Filipino Workers (TUFW) seeking for an across-the-board daily wage increase of P50.00 and after holding a series of multi-sectoral consultations, public hearing, and deliberation.

The new Wage Order for Region VI becomes effective 15 days from its publication. The Regional Board has yet to come up with its Implementing Rules.

source: DOLE