Ilocos workers to get wage hike

SAN FERNANDO CITY – Minimum wage earners in the Ilocos region will get a salary increase.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board recently issued Wage Order 19 granting an increase of P30 in the daily wage of workers in large non-agriculture and commercial fishing establishments, P20 in medium non-agriculture establishments and P13 in small and micro establishments and agriculture.

The wage increase will take effect 15 days after publication of the order in a newspaper of general circulation.

Nathaniel Lacambra, Department of Labor and Employment-Region 1 director, said the salary increase would cover minimum wage earners in the private sector irrespective of their position, status of employment and method by which their salaries are paid.

Domestic workers, persons employed in the personal service of another including family drivers and those employed in registered barangay micro-business enterprises are not covered by the wage order.

“The...wage adjustments will help offset the anticipated effects of price hikes on the living conditions of our minimum wage earners starting this year,” Lacambra said.

He said they also considered the prevailing socioeconomic condition in the region as well as the viability of various businesses.

Public consultations on the wage issue were conducted last Oct. 23, 26 and 27 in Pangasinan, La Union, Iloco Sur and Ilocos Norte.

The current daily minimum wage in the region ranges from P243 to P280, depending on the type of industry.