RTWPB grants salary increase to workers, ‘kasambahay’ in Region 9

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=925290
• Thursday, September 22, 2016

(PNA), LAP/TPGJR/R.G. ANTONET A. GO

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 22 (PNA) –- The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has issued new wage orders granting salary increase to the thousands of workers in the private sector and “kasambahay” or domestic workers here in Region 9.

Sisinio Cano, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional director and RTWPB chairperson, told the Philippines News Agency that the salary increase will take effect on October 1 this year.

Cano said the workers in the private sector such as the non-agricultural, agricultural, retail service establishment and cottage handicraft enterprises will receive daily salary increase of PhP16 based on the Wage Order No. 19.

The minimum salary once Wage Order No. 19 takes effect are as follows: non-agricultural, PhP296; plantation, PhP271 and non-plantation, PhP251 in the agricultural sector; retail service establishment (employing not more than 30 workers), PhP276; and cottage handicraft enterprises, PhP251.

Cano said the domestic workers will receive an increase of PhP500 in their monthly salary whether they are working in cities, first class municipalities and other municipalities.

The minimum monthly salary of the domestic workers based on the new wage order will increase to PhP2,500 for those working in cities and first class municipalities and PhP2,000 in other municipalities.

The domestic workers include the following: general househelp; baby-sitter; cook; gardener; laundry; and, any person who regularly performs domestic work in one household on an occupational basis.

Cano disclosed the workers in the agricultural sector, retail service establishment and cottage handicraft enterprises will receive PhP283 daily salary towards the end of 2017 since they will receive wage increases on January 1, 2017 and October 1, 2017.

The salary increase on January 1, 2017 will be as follows: plantation, PhP6 and non-plantation PhP16 for the agriculture sector; retail service establishment, PhP7; and, cottage handicraft enterprise, PhP16.

On October 1, 2017, the salary increase will be the following: plantation, PhP6 and non-plantation PhP16 for the agriculture sector; and, cottage handicraft enterprise, PhP16.

Cano said the issuance of the new wage orders were based on the economic review and wage consultation they have conducted in the region.

He said a labor law compliance officer will conduct inspection on business establishments to ensure compliance with the new wage order.

The RTWPB is a seven-man board with Cano as the chairperson with the regional directors of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) as vice chairpersons.

The other members are: two representatives from the employer sector; and, two representatives from the labor sector.