Labor/tourism workers nationwide to enjoy higher pay
MANILA, Philippines - Many tourism workers in the country’s various regions are now enjoying higher pay, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported yesterday.
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said wage boards in eight regions nationwide have issued advisories providing incentive pay for hardworking tourism workers.
“In line with the full implementation of the Two-Tiered Wage System, eight regional wage boards have issued industry-specific advisories to guide workers and enterprises in developing and implementing productivity-based incentive schemes over and above the mandatory minimum wage,” Baldoz disclosed.
Baldoz identified the eight regions as National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, MIMAROPA, Central and Eastern Visayas.
According to Baldoz, wage boards in the rest of the regions are also expected to issue similar advisories.
Baldoz then noted that the country’s tourism industry continues to improve as a result of the various government’s convergence programs.
“I believe our convergence program is one of the contributing factors to the booming tourism industry,” Baldoz said.
The labor chief also attributed the growth in number of tourists to the full implementation of the DOLE’s new Labor Laws Compliance System.
Under the system, Baldoz said, the DOLE conducts joint assessments of tourism establishments to ensure their compliance with general labor and occupational safety and health standards, including anti-child labor laws.
Those found compliant are awarded Certificates of Compliance and tourist destinations are declared Labor Laws-Compliant zones.
“We know that tourists, especially those coming from affluent countries, are mindful that business establishments catering to visitors are paying their workers correct wages and benefits; that they are safe and healthy in their respective workplaces,” Baldoz explained.
DOLE has so fare declared five tourist destinations as labor laws-compliant namely: Siargao, Boracay, Guimaras, Camiguin, and Dinagat.
Last year, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) provided training to 538 firms nationwide, benefiting 1,411 workers,.
“What was good in these training was that participants committed to provide quality service to their clients,” Baldoz added.
“Our tourism workers and employers have to focus on building sustainable enterprises and harnessing workplace cooperation by being conscious every day that service quality is what global visitors are also looking for, and not just the beauty of a place,” Baldoz said.
Baldoz expressed confidence that tourist arrivals will continue to increase as tourism products and services continue to develop and evolve.
