Davao region workers to get pay hike soon

MANILA, Philippines — Minimum wage earners in Davao region are expected to receive a higher take-home pay soon as the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has deliberated on a petition for a salary increase, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.

DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma earlier said that the wage board was expected to release its decision on the matter anytime soon.

Laguesma said the calamities that hit Davao region recently would be among the factors that the board would consider in making its decision.

Aside from calamities, the board is expected to consider the need to raise the salary of workers, whose puchasing power has shrunk due to the high cost of basic commodities, Laguesma said.

He said the RTWPB has to balance the workers’ need for higher pay and the capacity of employers to grant it. 

Of the country’s 16 regions, only Davao has yet to grant a pay hike to workers, Laguesma said.

He said 13 of 15 regional wage boards granted wage increases to workers without the need to file formal petitions.

Unless there are supervening events, Laguesma said the RTWPBs are unlikely to issue a new wage order this year, to give employers time to comply with the newly issued wage orders.

Labor groups have expressed support for a Senate proposal that seeks to grant a legislated daily wage increase of P100 to all minimum wage earners. 

“The Senate action renews hope among workers and their unions for a standardized wage increase across the country, which can pave the way for the establishment of a singular national minimum wage,” labor coalition Nagkaisa said in a statement.

Nagkaisa said the current minimum wage setup has caused confusion in the application of the pay hike and discriminated workers.

It said all minimum wage rates nationwide are below the poverty threshold for a family of five.

Employers are against a legislated wage increase.