Iloilo City, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment Region 6 has announced that minimum wage earners in the Region will get a raise effective July 12, 2018.DOLE 6 Regional Director Atty. Johnson G. Cañete, in a press briefing at Smaville 21 Hotel in Iloilo City on Wednesday, announced that the new minimum wage rate in the region is P365, covering workers in non-agriculture, industrial, commercial and agricultural sectors.
Cañete said that under Wage Order No. RBVI-24, workers in the non-agriculture, industrial and commercial establishments employing more than 10 employees will receive a minimum wage of P365 per day from the previous P323.50 due to an increase of P26.50 on basic wage and cost of living allowance (COLA) of P15.
For companies employing less than 10 workers, the new daily wage rate is P295 from the previous P271.50, an increase of P18.50 in basic wage and P5.00 for the COLA.
In the case of workers in the agriculture sector, the new minimum wage rate for plantation and non-plantation workers is P295. Plantation workers were granted P8.50 hike in basic wage and P5.00 for COLA while those in the non-plantation were given P18.50 hike for the basic wage and P5.00 for COLA.
On the other hand, Cañete emphasized that the minimum wage increase will temporarily not take effect in the province of Aklan. Instead, the increase will take effect in November 2018, except for Barangays Manoc-Manoc, Yapak and Balabag in Boracay, where the wage hike will start three months after the re-opening of the island resort.
“The temporary closure of Boracay which has affected the operations of business establishments and local economy of Aklan was taken into consideration when the wage increase was deliberated”, he said.
In addition, the grant of COLA for Sugar Industry Enterprises within the agricultural, industrial and commercial sector will take effect six months after the issuance of the wage order in time for the estimated milling season.
Cañete also added that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) will conduct a province-wide caravan to ensure efficient information dissemination.
Cañete also emphasized that the DOLE will closely monitor the compliance of establishments with the new minimum wage rate. Relative to this, DOLE 6 labor inspectors were also gathered on Wednesday afternoon for an orientation on the wage hike and its implementation.
Dir. Cañete reminded the public that DOLE labor inspectors are empowered by virtue of the visitorial and enforcement power of the Secretary of Labor to conduct inspection and compliance visit to establishments in the region.
The DOLE director also encouraged the public to report to the Department non-compliance of their respective companies. He also added that for those who oppose the new wage rate, they have ten (10) days to file their appeal.
Meanwhile, distressed establishments, new business enterprises and those affected by calamities such as natural and/or human induced disasters may seek for exemption./ dole6
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