By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
A total of 95,990 private sector workers in the Zamboanga Peninsula are set to benefit from a looming hike in their daily wage which was approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) 9.
In a statement Tuesday, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Wage Order No. RBIX-23, which was approved by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) on Nov. 22, will adjust the daily minimum wage in the region by P33, from P381 to P414 in the non-agriculture sector, including service and retail establishments employing 10 or more workers.
On the other hand, the salary adjustment in the agriculture sector, including service and retail establishments employing one to nine workers, will be from P368 to P401.
The new wage order is set to take effect on Dec. 12.
As in any wage order, and as provided for in the NWPC Omnibus Rules on Minimum Wage Determination, retail/service establishments regularly employing not more than 10 workers, and enterprises affected by natural calamities and/or human-induced disasters, may apply to the RTWPB for exemption from the wage increase.
Registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) are not covered by the minimum wage law pursuant to Republic Act 9178.
For exemption applications and further clarifications on the wage order, the RTWPB may be reached through its email address rb9@produktiboatsahod.onmicrosoft.com.
The last wage increase in the region amounting to P30 was approved on Nov. 12, 2023.
To date, the DOLE said new wage orders have so far been issued for private sector workers in 10 regions: National Capital Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and SOCCSKSARGEN.
It added that four wage orders have been issued for domestic workers in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.
All these wage orders were initiated motu proprio, the agency added.
As for the other remaining regions, the RTWPBs of Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and MIMAROPA are in the final stages of their minimum wage determination process.
Meanwhile, the RTWPBs of Northern Mindanao and Caraga began their minimum wage determination process this month, while the RTWPB – Davao is scheduled to commence in January 2025.
The RTWPB – Bicol has decided to defer the wage determination process in the region due to the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) and shall continue to closely monitor and assess the ongoing recovery and conditions in the region within the next three months.