BACOLOD CITY -- An increase of PHP13.50 to PHP41.50 in the daily minimum wage of private sector workers in Western Visayas is set to take effect on July 12.
Department of Labor and Employment 6 (Western Visayas) Director Johnson Cañete said the National Wages and Productivity Commission has not made major changes in Wage Order No. 24, which prescribes the latest wage increase.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) 6, which is chaired by Cañete, published the wage order on June 27, or 16 days after it was signed by the members.
The guidelines state that the new order should take effect 15 days after publication in newspapers of general circulation.
“We would like to inform our employers that the new wage order is immediately effective on July 12,” Cañete said in an interview on Wednesday.
“By that time, it should be reflected already in the pay slip,” he added.
In Wage Order No. 24, the approved increase of PHP13.50 to PHP41.50 includes the cost of living allowance.
Wage rates in Western Visayas will now range from PHP295 to PHP365, up from PHP271.50 to PHP323.50 under Wage Order No. 23.
Meanwhile, any party may file an appeal or motion for reconsideration within 10 days after the wage order takes effect.
Section 8 of Wage Order No. 24 states that companies may seek exemptions from the implementation if they fall into three exceptional circumstances, namely, if establishments are distressed, if these are new business enterprises, and if affected by calamities.
Cañete said RTWPB-6 will conduct an information dissemination campaign in the region’s provinces through press conferences, forums, and orientations regarding the latest wage order.
He added that they will also gather Public Employment Service Office managers, human resource heads, guidance counselors, and other stakeholders to discuss Wage Order No. 24.
Wennie Sancho, labor representative to RTWPB-6, said any additional pay of the workers would become part of domestic spending that would in turn pump prime the economy.
“Giving them the opportunity to earn more will enable the workers to have stronger economic participation,” he added. (PNA)
