P10-daily minimum wage hike approved for private sector workers in Caraga

BUTUAN CITY, Agusan del Norte, Philippines – Private sector workers in the two Agusan and Surigao provinces and their component cities got a post-election gift in the form of the P10-minimum wage increase that the Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Caraga region has approved.

Joel Gonzales, director of the Department of Labor and Employment in Caraga, said the National Wages Productivity Commission (NWPC) has concurred with the increase that was approved as early as March for minimum wage earners.

Gonzales said while the increase was approved months back, it would only take effect on Friday (May 24) because several requirements had to be satisfied first, including the 15-day publication of the notice of approval.

Starting Friday, minimum wage workers in the non-agricultural sector of Caraga will already be earning P268 per day while those working in the agricultural sector will be getting P258. In the other sectors, minimum wage earners will take a daily pay of P238.

Gonzales said DOLE would actively monitor all small-, medium-, and large-scale establishments for compliance with the new wage order.

“As far as compliance is concerned, we don’t have problems with large mining, wood-based and manufacturing industries but more on small and medium-enterprises engaged in retail and services,” he said.

Gonzales said the DOLE was basing this projection based on the type of firms that had been penalized for non-payment and non-compliance with wage hike orders during the past years.

But he said consideration might be given to some companies, particularly those experiencing downtrend in production due to the existing ban on logging.

Gonzales said sooner or later, these so-called “distressed” companies would be asking the DOLE for reprieve from implementing the latest minimum wage increase.