New wage hike takes effect on Dec. 7

SOME Christmas cheer is coming for private sector workers in Central Visayas as the P22 minimum wage increase takes effect on on Dec. 7, the Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas (DOLE-7) said yesterday.

DOLE Regional Director Ma. Gloria Tango said Wage Order No. VII-17 containing the P22 minimum wage increase was published yesterday in a regional newspaper and takes effect 15 days after publication.

Tango is the chairperson of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-7).

Under section 2 of Wage Order Nos. 17, the new wage increase must be given to all minimum wage workers.

“The adjustments prescribed under this new Order shall apply to all minimum wage private sector workers and employees in the region, regardless of their position, designation or status of employment and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid,” section number 2 stated.

But household or domestic helpers, family drivers, and workers of registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises with valid certificates of authority are not covered by the new wage order

The minimum wage rates should also be based on an eight-hour workday schedule.

Tango said the wage board has yet to grant any exemption although export firms earlier announced they would apply for one.

Companies who wish to file for an exemption should wait for the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), which has yet to be signed by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

Once the IRR is published, any company has 75 days to file a petition for exemption.

The exemption can be granted to distressed companies, new business enterprises operating not more than two years, retail/service establishments employing not more than 10 employees and establishments affected by calamities. Correspondent Jhunnex Napallacan