Wage board OKs pay hike for Central Luzon workers

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines — Minimum wage earners in Central Luzon can expect an increase of P40 in their daily take-home pay.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) approved the salary increase on Tuesday.

Department of Labor and Employment-Central Luzon director and RTWPB chairperson Geraldine Panlilio said the wage order would be reviewed by the National Wages and Productivity Commission to determine if it conforms with Republic Act 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act and the Omnibus Rules on the Minimum Wage Determination.

She said the first tranche of the wage increase of P30 would be implemented 15 days after the publication of the wage order.  The remaining P10 will take effect in January next year.

Panlilio said all minimum wage earners regardless of position, designation or status of employment are entitled to the pay hike.

The current minimum wage in Central Luzon, except in Aurora province, ranges from P395 to P420, depending on the number of employees and sector.

The wage order also grants an increase of P500 in the minimum monthly salary of domestic workers in the region, raising it to P5,000