Soccsksargen workers to get pay hike

MANILA, Philippines - Minimum wage earners in Soccsksargen will get a pay increase, the Department of Labor and Employment announced yesterday.

Workers in the non-agriculture sector will receive an increase of P20 while those in the agriculture and retail and service sectors will get P17 under a new wage order, said Jessie de la Cruz, secretary of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.

De la Cruz said the daily minimum wage of workers in the non-agriculture sector will increase to P295 and P277 to those in the agriculture and retail as well as service sectors.

“The P5 cost of living allowance being received by minimum wage earners shall be integrated in their daily wage,” he added.

De la Cruz said the wage hike is effective on Oct. 9.

Cotobato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and the cities of Cotabato, General Santos, Kidapawan, Koronadal and Tacurong comprise Soccsksargen.