Bicol workers get P5 to P15 minimum wage hike

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — As the country celebrated Labor Day on Wednesday, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) in Bicol announced a P5 to P15 pay increase that raised the minimum daily wage to P310 in the region.

Johana Vi Gasga, Dole regional information officer, said the pay increase was the second tranche of the P20 to P30 adjustment ordered by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) last year.

For employees who  earn P290 a day, the increase is P20, while those earning P280 have P30.

The wage order’s first P15 increase was given in September 2018.

Gasga said the wage adjustment was one of the measures taken by the government to help workers cope with rising prices of basic goods and services.

Higher poverty threshold

France Ocmer, RTWPB secretary in Bicol, said there was no petition from labor groups for a wage increase, but that the board issued the order due to the increase in prices of basic goods and services in the region.

“Aside from the increase in the prices of basic commodities, the poverty threshold is higher compared to the wage before (the increase). The order was based on statistical data,” Ocmer said.

Lopito Mendoza, treasurer of Pinagkaisang Manggagawa sa mga Kooperatiba ng Kuryente sa Bicol, said the group considered the P310 minimum wage enough for a family of five.

“We are in favor of the P750 minimum wage being asked by some workers’ groups, but I think the employers will not give it,” he added.

But Daniel Balucio, secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Bicol, said the increase was not enough to feed a family of five.

“Every family needs at least P1,001 as daily income,” he said.

The Dole also organized a job and business fair in partnership with 65 local and six overseas employers offering 15,000 jobs at Pacific Mall in Legazpi City.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry organized a series of orientation and training sessions on how to start a business and livelihood. —Ma. April Mier-Manjares