By Trisha Casabar
The daily minimum wage in the National Capital Region (NCR) will increase by P40 starting July 16, following the hike approval by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board through Wage Order No. NCR-24 on June 26.
This brings the minimum wage from P570 to P610 for the non-agriculture sector, and from P533 to P573 for the agriculture sector, service and retail establishments with less than 15 workers and manufacturing firms with less than 10 staff.
Approximately 1.1 million minimum wage earners in NCR will directly benefit from this order, and another 1.5 million workers will indirectly benefit through upward adjustments within firms.
Retail and service establishments with fewer than 10 workers and enterprises affected by natural disasters or human-induced disasters may apply for exemption from the wage increase.
The Department of Labor and Employment said the 7%-adjusted rate is above the regional poverty threshold of P452 per day for a family of five.
It added that the increase will also raise benefits covering 13th-month pay, service incentive leave, and social security benefits such as SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG by 7%.
The decision came after various labor groups filed petitions for a wage increase due to the rising costs of basic goods and commodities.
The minimum wage law also does not cover Barangay Micro Business Enterprises in accordance with Republic Act No. 9178. –ag
