Wage hike to take effect August 3

CEBU, Philippines — The wage increase of P10 to P52 daily for the minimum wage earners in the private sector in Central Visayas will take effect on August 3 according to Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-7 (RTWPB) chairman Alvin Villamor.

RTWPB, in its order, stated that in line with the trust to rationalize the wage structure and in consideration of the changes in the employment structure in the region, the board agreed to sub-classify the non-agriculture wages and simplify the agriculture wages classification.

It says that for the Class A (non-agriculture), the minimum wage increase for establishment with more than ten employees is P20 making its minimum wage P386 and P10 for establishments with less than ten employees making its minimum wage P376.

 For the Class B (non-agriculture), the minimum wage increase for establishment with more than ten employees is P15 making its minimum wage P348 and P10 for establishments with less than ten employees making its minimum wage P343.

For the Class C (non-agriculture), the minimum wage increase for establishment with more than ten employees is P15 making its minimum wage P338 and P10 for establishments with less than ten employees making its minimum wage P333.

For the Class D, (non-agriculture) the minimum wage increase for establishment with more than ten employees is P15 making its minimum wage to P323 and P10 for establishments with less than ten employees, making its minimum wage P318.

For the Class A (agriculture), the minimum wage increase ranges from P20 to P52.

Class B (agriculture) will have a minimum wage increase range from P10 to P25 while Class C (agriculture) will have a minimum wage increase of P10. 

For the Class D (agriculture), the minimum wage increase is from P10 to P25.

Class A are the cities of Carcar, Cebu, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Naga and Talisay and the municipalities of Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Liloan, Minglanilla, San Fernando or Expanded Metro Cebu.

Class B are the cities of Toledo, Bogo and the rest of the municipalities of Cebu Province except Bantayan and Camotes Islands.

Class C are the cities and municipalities in Bohol and Negros Oriental Provinces.

Class D are the municipalities in Siquijor Province and municipalities in Bantayan and Camotes.

  The order emphasized that not covered by the provisions are household or domestic workers, persons in the personal service of another and workers of establishments registered under the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises with valid Certificates of Authority.

  It further stated that upon application with and as determined by the board based on documentary and other requirements in accordance with applicable rules and regulations issued by the National Wages and Productivity Commission, distressed establishments and establishments adversely affected by calamities such as natural and/or human-induced disasters  may be exempted from the applicability of the order.

The order is published today in a newspaper of general circulation that says, this order takes effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the region. — MBG (FREEMAN)