Central Luzon Workers to Get Additional Wage Hike

City of San Fernando, Pampanga (PNA) — Minimum wage earners in central Luzon will receive an additional increase in their daily pay.

This, after the National Wage and Productivity Commission (NWPC) has affirmed the newest wage order by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) that raises by PHP15 per day the minimum wage in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales; and by PHP20 per day the minimum wage in Aurora for workers in retail and services establishments with less than 16 workers.

Under Wage Order No. RB III-19, the increase of PHP15 a day in all the central Luzon provinces, except Aurora shall be given in two tranches, PHP8 on the first tranche upon effectivity, and PHP7 on the second tranche on May 1, 2016, thus bringing the highest minimum wage in the region to PHP364.

For Aurora, the increase of PHP20 per day shall be given also in two tranches, the first tranche of PHP10 to be given upon effectivity of the wage order, and the second tranche of PHP10 on May 1, 2016.

The RTWPB in Central Luzon as chaired by DOLE regional director Ana Dione, has conducted sectoral consultation on Oct. 27 and regional public hearing on Nov. 5 to gather inputs on the wage situation in the region.

The latest wage order applies to all minimum wage earners in the private sector in Central Luzon, regardless of position, designation, status of employment, and methods by which the wages are paid.

Those who are not covered by the wage order are kasambahay (house servants), persons employed in personal service of another, including family drivers, and workers of Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs).

In issuing the wage order, the RTWPB has encouraged establishments to adopt productivity improvement schemes, such as time and motion studies, good housekeeping, quality circles, and labor management cooperation, as well as to implement gainsharing programs.

The RTWPB also said that any person, corporation, trust or firm, partnership, association, or entity which refuses or fails to pay the prescribed wage rates in accordance with Wage Order no. RB III-19 shall be subject to penal provisions under Republic Act 6727, or the Minimum Wage Fixing Law. (PNA) JMC/ZST/RKM/PS