In Central Luzon, wage earners to get P40 hike

10713183 – philippine money coins in front of a 50 peso banknote

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines — Minimum wage earners in private companies in Central Luzon stand to get a P40 pay increase in two tranches that may start this month, a regional labor official said on Tuesday.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has approved the P40 adjustment in principle after wrapping up a series of public hearings from April 20 to May 12 in seven provinces, according to Geraldine Panlilio, the RTWPB chair and Department of Labor and Employment regional director.

Additional P30-P10

The Solidarity of Unions in the Philippines for Empowerment and Reforms petitioned for a wage hike, Panlilio told the Inquirer.

She said the wage increase order, which is being circulated for signing by the other members of the board, authorizes a P30 and P10 additional pay in June this year and January 2023, respectively, in Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales.

The board consists of the regional directors of the National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Trade and Industry as vice chairs, as well as representatives from labor and employer sectors.

‘Kasambahay’ minimum

The order, Panlilio said, allows distressed firms to seek exemptions.

The current daily minimum wage rates are pegged between P304 and P369 in Aurora, and between P395 and P420, depending on the number of employees and sector, in six other provinces.

For “kasambahay,” or household workers, the prevailing monthly minimum wage is P4,500 in chartered cities and first class towns, and P4,000 in other towns.

—TONETTE OREJAS

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