Minimum wage workers in NCR to get pay hike October 4

MANILA, Philippines—Minimum wage earners in Metro Manila will receive the P10 daily wage increase starting October 4, according to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board of the National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR).

The latest wage increase brings to P466 the minimum wage rate for nonagricultural workers in Metro Manila and P429 in the other regions.

Aside from the basic pay, workers in the region are also getting P30 cost of living allowance (Cola) as provided under the wage order approved by the RTWPB last year.

The wage board ordered the integration into the basic pay of P15 out of the previously approved P30 Cola starting January 2014.

According to the wage order, the increase covers all minimum wage earners in the private sector in NCR, “regardless of their position, designation, or status of employment and irrespective of the method by which they are paid.”

Household service workers and workers of duly registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) are exempted from the new wage order.

In the case of contractors, the increase shall be shouldered by the principal or project clients. However, if the principal fails to pay the additional wage, liability will be shared by the contractor.

Schools that have not increased their tuition fees may defer compliance until the beginning of the next school year.

Workers who are paid by result or output are also entitled to payment of the prescribed increase.

Distressed establishments, new business enterprises and companies employing less than 10 workers, and  establishments whose total assets including those arising from loans (but not including land) can apply for exemption from the wage order as determined by the RTWPB-NCR.

Workers may file a complaint before the DOLE-NCR against employers who do not comply with the new minimum wage rate, the RTWPB-NCR said.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines earlier said it will file a petition for reconsideration of the new wage order. The TUCP’s two factions filed separate petitions seeking P83 and P85 wage increase for workers in Metro Manila.