Private sector workers in Northern Mindanao get wage hike

The regional wage board in Northern Mindanao has granted a new round of wage increases for about 144,133 private sector workers, setting the minimum pay at a range of P411 to P438 effective January next year.

A separate wage order covers 54,851 domestic workers, or “kasambahay” in the region, raising their minimum monthly wage to P5,000 across all areas.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Northern Mindanao on Dec. 19 issued Wage Order No. RX-22, which was affirmed a day later by the National Wages and Productivity Commission.

The wage adjustments, which will take effect on Jan. 11, will be given in two tranches and classified in two wage categories, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) reported on Friday night.

“The new rates for workers in the private sector translate to an 8 percent increase from the prevailing daily minimum wage rates in the region and result in a comparable 23 percent increase in wage-related benefits,” the Dole said in a statement.

Northern Mindanao is made up of the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental. —Kathleen de Villa