ILOILO City – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has called on private sector employers in Western Visayas to voluntarily comply with Wage Order No. RBVI-28, which mandates a new minimum wage increase in the region.
The order, which took effect on November 17, raises the minimum wage for workers by P33 to P40.
“We encourage all concerned employers to implement the new wage order as agreed upon. This is applicable across the region, and I urge voluntary compliance,” said DOLE-6 regional director Atty. Sixto Rodriguez Jr., who also chairs the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) VI.
He emphasized that the wage order carries the force of law, making compliance mandatory.
New Minimum Wage Rates
Under Wage Order No. RBVI-28, the following minimum wage adjustments are implemented for non-agriculture / industrial / commercial sector:
* employers with more than 10 workers – from the previous P480 to P513 (+P33)
* employers with 10 workers or fewer – from the previous P450 to P485 (+P35)
For the agriculture sector, the increase is from the previous P440 to P480 (+P40).
In addition, RTWPB-6 issued Wage Order No. RBVI-DW-06, which increases the monthly wage of domestic workers from P5,000 to P6,000.
The wage orders apply to all minimum wage earners in private sector establishments across the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental, as well as the highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod.
Coverage and Benefits
Approximately 193,032 minimum wage earners in the region will directly benefit from the increase.
Moreover, around 300,252 full-time workers earning above the minimum wage are expected to benefit indirectly due to adjustments at the enterprise level to address wage distortions.
For domestic workers, an estimated 160,795 individuals will see their wages rise under the new order.
Exemptions and Assistance
Rodriguez said DOLE will conduct an information campaign to ensure that all employers are aware of the new wage orders. Employers seeking exemptions may submit applications, particularly retail / service establishments with 10 or fewer workers, businesses affected by natural calamities or human-induced disasters, and Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs), which are exempted under Republic Act No. 9178.
Violations of the wage order will be penalized under Section 12 of Republic Act No. 6727, as amended by Republic Act No. 8188.
For inquiries or clarification, employers may contact RTWPB VI via email at rb6@produktiboatsahod.onmicrosoft.com./PN
