Wage hike talks in 5 regions move forward
Composite image by JEROME CRISTOBAL / INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The National Wages Productivity Commission (NWPC) on Saturday said the wage hike petitions in the regions of Calabazon, Central Luzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas are in advanced stages of consultations.
“In the region Calabarzon, the consultations are continuous and we are hoping that within the month, they will be able to issue a schedule for their public hearing,” Criselda Sy, executive director of NWPC, said during the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Saturday morning program at the dzBB radio station
Sy said regional boards take into consideration 10 criteria in determining the appropriate wage increase in an area, including the demand for a living wage, the consumer price index, the cost of living, and the needs of workers and their families.
Also part of the considerations are the ability of a region to induce investments, the improvement of the standards of living, prevailing wage level in an area, as well as the capacity of an employer in an area to pay, among others.
From P570 to P610
The most recent minimum wage increase in Metro Manila is set to take effect today (July 16), with the daily minimum wage of nonagricultural workers increasing from P570 to P610.
Meanwhile, pay for workers in agriculture, service, and retail establishments with 15 or fewer employees, and manufacturing establishments with less than 10 employees is adjusted today from P533 to P573.
Citing data from the DTI, Sy said that there were 53,000 Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBE) — businesses that have a capitalization of P3 million and below — which were not covered by the wage hike.
She added that retail establishments with 10 employees and below can also apply for an exemption to the wage increase.
“This is not an outright exemption, but an application. Included here are establishments in NCR (National Capital Region) hit by calamities. They can apply for exemption,” Sy said, adding that they have 75 days after the publication of the wage order to submit their application.
