Bicol workers to get P25-32 wage hike

By Edgar Alejo LEGAZPI CITY --- An increase of P25 to P32 in the daily minimum wage for private sector workers and kasambahay (house help) has been approved by the Regional Tripartite Wage Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Bicol. The adjusted minimum pay will take effect 15 days following its publication. According to Regional Director Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Wage Order No. 18 will probably be implemented within this month of May, adding that DOLE and the RTWPB will fast track the crafting of the implementing rules and regulations pertaining to the order. Trayvilla announced during the Labor Day media conference that workers of establishments with more than nine employees will be getting P290 per day from the current rate of P265 a day, indicating a P25 increase. In establishments with nine employees and less, the new minimum daily wage is P280 from P248. Kasambahay or house helps, meanwhile, will also get a salary hike of P1,000 per month-from P2,000 to P3,000-covering chartered cities and first class municipalities, while it will be from P1,500 to P2,500 per month in other localities. Marcelo Tan of the Liberty Commercial Center, representing the management sector to the RTWPB, said members of the board have considered all factors for the collegial body to come up with the decision on the amount to add up to the current daily minimum wage in the Bicol region. Ronaldo Afable of the labor sector-member of the RTWPB, meanwhile, stated that the pay adjustment was “very good news and fitting gift” for workers in time for the recent observance of Labor Day much as it would also help ease the burden of the laborers in raising up income to sustain their daily living and other essential needs of their families. Bicol covers the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon and the cities of Iriga, Legazpi, Ligao, Masbate, Naga, Sorsogon and Tabaco.