By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
Minimum wage earners in Metro Manila will have a P33 daily hike while those in Western Visayas will receive an increase of up to P110 following the approval of their Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards, the labor department announced on Saturday, May 14.
Based on Wage Order No. NCR-23 issued on May 13, 2022, with the P33 salary adjustment, Metro Manila workers in the non-agriculture sector will be receiving P570 daily while those working in the agriculture sector will get P533.
The last wage order for workers in private establishments in Metro Manila was on November 22, 2018, when it granted a P25 increase.
According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the salary adjustment is expected to benefit around one million minimum wage earners in private establishments in the region.
“The increase considered the restoration of the purchasing power of minimum wage earners because of the escalating prices of basic goods, commodities, and petroleum products,” the department said in a statement.
On the other hand, the RTWPB–VI issued Wage Order No. RBVI-26 approved a P55 to P110 wage increase for workers in the non-agriculture, industrial and commercial establishments.
The salary hike brought the daily minimum wage in the region to P450 and P420 for those employing more than 10 workers and those employing 10 or less, respectively.
Also, the Board granted a P95 increase for workers in the agriculture sector bringing the daily minimum wage to P410.
Around 214,836 minimum wage earners in private establishments are expected to benefit from the pay rise.
The last wage order for workers in Western Visayas took effect on November 26, 2019.
“The increase considered the restoration of the purchasing power of minimum wage earners because of the escalating prices of basic goods, commodities, and petroleum products as well as to bring the minimum wage rate above the 2021 first semester poverty threshold,” the DOLE added.
The Board also issued Wage Order No. RBVI-DW-04 giving an increase of P500 or bringing the new monthly minimum pay rate for domestic help or “kasambahay” to P4,500.
It is expected to benefit 160,795 domestic workers (49,413 live-in and 111,382 live-out).
The new wage orders will be submitted to the National Wage and Productivity Commission (NWPC) for review and shall take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation. – gb
