DOLE: BARMM has its own board to allow wage hike

FILE PHOTO: The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) seat of government is located in Cotabato City. Photo by Bong Sarmiento

MANILA, Philippines — Imposing minimum pay adjustments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is “solely” the discretion of its administrators.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) spokesperson Rolly Francia made this explanation amid successive minimum wage increases in various regions nationwide.

According to the DOLE official, the BARRM has its own wage board and is beyond the authority of the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).

“BARMM is outside the jurisdiction of the NWPC,” he told reporters. “So, whether or not it will issue a wage order is solely at its discretion.”

Francia said the latest minimum wage hike in the BARRM took effect in January 2020 – increasing from P290 to P325.

The 16 regions in the country have their own Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPBs), which set minimum wages subject to the approval of the NWPC.

The minimum pay increases in 14 regions will be implemented starting this month.

The wage board of Zamboanga Peninsula is the latest to approve a salary adjustment.

To date, the wage board of Eastern Visayas is the only one that is yet to announce a minimum pay increase for the region.

KGA