Bicol minimum wage earners to get pay hike

MANILA, Philippines — Minimum wage earners in Bicol will get a salary increase starting Sept. 21, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Alvin Villamor, DOLE-Bicol director, said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board recently approved an increase ranging from P20 to P30.

“The wage hike will be given in two tranches... The first tranche of P15 will be given... on Sept. 21,” Villamor said.

On May 1 next year, he said companies employing at least 10 workers should grant an increase of P5 while those with at least nine workers should give P15.

Villamor said the wage board considered the prevailing socioeconomic conditions in the region as well as the viability of businesses.

He said the pay increase shall apply to all minimum wage earners in the region regardless of their position, designation and status of employment.

Domestic helpers, those in the personal service of another and workers of barangay micro-business enterprises are exempted from the wage increase.

“The adjustment of the minimum wage rate is one of the measures of the government to provide workers with immediate relief spurred by high prices of basic goods and services,” Villamor said.

He urged establishments in the wholesale and retail trade as well as in the construction industry to come up with productivity-based pay schemes to ensure higher performance and  productivity of their workers and raise their income.

Exemption

 Meanwhile, Johnson Cañete, DOLE-Central Visayas director, said employers in the region have until Nov. 1 to file applications for exemption from the implementation of  the recent wage hike.

The regional wage board approved an increase of P10 to P20 effective Aug. 3.

Cañete said distressed companies and those affected by calamities could apply for an exemption.

He said partial or conditional exemption could be granted provided companies meet the requirements.

Cañete said applications for exemption should be under oath and accompanied by supporting documents. – With Mitchelle Palaubsanon/The Freeman