Davao workers get pay hike

Minimum wage earners as well as household workers or kasambahay in Davao region will receive higher take-home pay after the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) approved their petition for a salary increase.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday said a total of 132,347 minimum wage earners would benefit from the salary adjustment ordered by the RTWPB.

The National Wages and Productivity Commission affirmed the wage order, which will take effect on March 6.

The RTWPB granted a daily increase of P19 for minimum wage earners upon effectivity of the order, and another P19 starting Sept. 1.

“This brings the daily minimum wages in the region to P481 for the non-agriculture, and P476 for the agriculture sector upon full implemenation of the order,” the DOLE said.

The RTWPB order is expected to result in wage distortion, which will benefit up to 316,558 full-time wage and salary workers earning above the minimum wage.

The board also issued motu proprio an order increasing to P6,000 the monthly minimum wage of kasambay employed in chartered cities and first-class municipalities.

Household workers in cities and municipalities that do not fall under the classification will receive a monthly salary of P5,000.

The wage increase is expected to benefit 64,111 domestic workers.

Of the figure, approximately 37 percent or 23,479 have live-in arrangements with their employers.

The new salary rate for workers in the private sector translates to an increase of nine percent from the current daily minimum wage rate in the region.

Establishments employing not more that 10 people and those affected by natural calamities and/or human-induced disasters may ask for exemption from the wage order.

Barangay micro-business enterprises are not covered by the minimum wage law.