RTWPB confirms region 10 wage hike

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2611441352306/rtwpb-confirms-region-10-wage-hike
• Friday, September 4, 2015

(RTWPB-10/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, September 4 – The Regional Tripartite Wage Productivity Board (RTWPB) region 10 confirms the P12.00 increase in the daily minimum wage of workers in the private sector in Northern Mindanao.

This is effective July 3, 2015 by the issuance of Wage Order No. RX-18 on May 12, 2015 and published on June 18, 2015 at the Goldstar Daily, a local newspaper distributed in the entire island of Mindanao.

The corresponding Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), approved by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Atty. Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz on August 17, 2015 was published on August 19, 2015 at Goldstar Daily in Northern Mindanao, confirms the said wage order. A copy of the IRR is available in all DOLE Region 10 Office and Provincial Field Offices and RTWPB 10 offices.

The new minimum daily wage of workers for the non-agricultural and agricultural sectors in Northern Mindanao for Wage Category 1 is now P318.00 and P306.00, respectively (covering the Cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and the Municipalities of Tagoloan, Villanueva); Wage Category II is P313.00 and P301.00 for non-agricultural and agricultural sectors, respectively (covering the Cities of Malayabalay, Valencia, Gingoog, El Salvador and Ozamiz and the Municipalities of Maramag, Quezon, and Manolo Fortich).

Meanwhile, rates in Wage Category III are P308.00 and P296.00 for non-agricultural and agricultural workers, respectively (covering the Cities of Oroquieta and Tangub; and Municipalities of Lugait, Opol, and Mambajao).

While rates in Wage Category IV are P303.00 and P291.00 for non-agricultural sector and agricultural sectors, respectively covering all areas not mentioned in the other wage categories. For establishments employing 10 workers or less, rates in Wage Category III shall be used regardless of location of their businesses.

Wage Order No. RX-18 is a product of an in-depth study and evaluation of the RTWPB-10 based on the criteria required by RA 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act of 1992 since the effectivity of the previous wage order on June 2013.

Wage fixing requires careful evaluation/monitoring of: socio-economic conditions, capacity of the employers to pay, demand for living wages, and the needs of workers and their families. In view of the wage reforms undertaken by the DOLE – National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), the new wage order encourages enterprises to adopt productivity improvement schemes such as time and motion studies, gain-sharing programs, and others. Introducing the concept of Performance Based Incentives Scheme in wage fixing gives focus to productivity and quality that emphasizes good harmonious relations and worker-employer partnerships.

Thus, the giving of monetary incentives and bonuses to good performing workers pushes for productivity and quality service characterized by negotiation capacities based on agreement of workers and employers. The scheme not only promotes productivity among workers but also allows employment and income security and improved competitiveness of enterprises increasing business’ net worth.

Distressed establishments, new business enterprises and establishments adversely affected by natural and human-induced calamities may file applications for exemptions on or before November 2, 2015 to the RTWPB-X, or at the DOLE-Regional and Provincial Offices in Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte/Iligan, Bukidnon and Camiguin or emailed to: rtwpb10@gmail.com, subject to documentary evaluation/review, deliberation and final approval by the Wage Board.

Copies of Wage Order No. RX-18 and its corresponding Implementing Rules and Regulations may be accessed from the offices of RTWPB-X, DOLE-X Regional and Provincial Offices or can be requested through email or downloaded from facebook page: RTWPB Northern Mindanao. Queries may be directed to telefax numbers: 088-880-3920; 08822-745547; mobile number: 0917-793-6825.