New wage order in WV takes effect Nov. 27

BACOLOD CITY Minimum wage earners in Western Visayas will receive an early Christmas gift as the R15 to R30 daily wage hike is expected to be implemented on November 27.

This was revealed by Wennie Sancho, labor representative to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Western Visayas, after the secretariat published the new Wage Order Monday (November 11) following its approval last Oct. 22.

Sancho said the Wage Order will take effect 15 days after publication.

The members of the RTWPB-Region 6 are set to meet in Iloilo City on Nov. 21.

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

Under Wage Order No. 25, a R30 daily wage hike is provided for workers among non-agriculture, industrial and commercial establishments employing more than 10 employees.

From the current R350, plus the cost of living allowance (Cola) of R15 for a total of R365 per day, the new rate would be R395 per day.

Employees from establishments with less than 10 workers will get an additional R15, making the new wage rate at R310 per day.

For the agricultural sector, plantation workers will receive a R20 increase. So from the current R295 per day, the new minimum wage under this sector is R315.

Sancho, also the secretary general of the General Alliance of Workers Associations (GAWA), consider this a welcome development.

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

The new pay hike will also be included in the 13th month pay of the workers, he added.