ILOILO City – The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Western Visayas announced yesterday having approved Wage Order No. RBVI-25 that set new daily minimum wage rates.
But the order would still need the “final approval” of the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), according to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional director Cyril Ticao.
“I-submit pa namon na sa Metro Manila then once approved, i-publish. After 15 days of publication amo ina ang pag-take effect,” said Ticao.
The current daily minimum wage in Western Visayas ranges between P295 to P365.
Wage Order No. RBVI-25 set the following new wage increases:
* agriculture sector – from P295 to P315, or an increase of P20
* non-agriculture / industrial / commercial sector: (a) employing more than 10 workers – from P365 to P395, or an increase of P30; and (b) employing 10 workers and below – from P295 to P310, or an increase of P15
“(The) wage increase prescribed in this Wage Order shall apply to all minimum wage earners in the private sector in Western Visayas, regardless of their position, designation or status of employment and irrespective of the method by which they are paid,” read part of Wage Order No. RBVI-25.
The new wage order does not cover household or domestic workers, persons in the personal service of another, and workers of duly registered Barangay Micro-Business Enterprises (BMBEs) with Certificate of Authority.
On July 1 the New and Independent Workers Organization (NIWO) – a rank-and-file union of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc.-Bacolod headed by Emmanuel Bandola – filed a petition for P50 to P60 wage increase.
The proposed P50 increase was for workers in the plantation and non-plantation sector while the P60 was for commercial and industrial sector workers.
NIWO also asked for a special provision of P80 increase for workers in Boracay Island.
“Nag-decide ang wage board nga parareho na lang tanan,” said Ticao./PN
