Wage hike mulled for workers in typhoon-ravaged areas
A typhoon survivor stands on rubbish in Tacloban, central Philippines on Dec. 8, 2013. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—A wage increase may still be granted to workers in typhoon-ravaged areas, according to the National Wages and Productivity Commission.
The Department of Labor and Employment earlier said that some wage boards were considering to defer wage consultations to help commercial establishments that were severely affected by the Supertyphoon Yolanda and could no longer afford any additional operational costs.
Half of the number of commercial establishments in the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc in Leyte have remained closed due to the devastation wrought by the typhoon, resulting in the displacement of about 12,000 workers, DOLE data showed.
National wages commission executive director Criselda Sy said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards in Eastern Visayas and other typhoon-affected areas were continuously monitoring the situation and may grant wage increases if necessary.
“Although the wage board opted to defer the scheduled wage consultation, it does not mean that there will be no wage increase because the RTWPB can still decide on its own whether or not to grant pay hike,” Sy said.
Meanwhile, the DOLE said workers in Western Visayas have started receiving a P10 increase in their daily basic pay.
The newly issued wage order in the region took effect last Nov. 29, thus workers employed in non-agriculture, industrial and commercial establishments employing more than 10 workers will now receive P287.
Those employed in establishments employing 10 workers and below will get P245 and workers in the agriculture sector and plantation workers will receive a minimum wage of P255. Non-plantation workers will get P245.
Western Visayas includes the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental, including the cities of Iloilo and Bacolod.
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