Board OKs P35 minimum wage hike for NCR workers

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has approved the P35 hike in the daily minimum wage of workers in the National Capital Region (NCR), increasing it from P610 to P645 for the non-agriculture sector.

According to dzBB Manny Vargas' report, the National Wages and Productivity Commission released the decision Monday morning and this will be effective 15 days after the publication of the order in national dailies.

The latest decision was confirmed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the official copy of the order will be released within the day.

According to DOLE, retail and service establishments regularly employing not more than 10 workers, and enterprises affected by natural calamities and/or human-induced disasters, may apply to the RTWPB for exemption from the wage increase.

The increase will also not cover Barangay Micro Business Enterprise pursuant to Republic Act No. 9178.

In a statement, the DOLE said the increase was based on the three petitions filed by various labor groups seeking an increase in the daily minimum wage due to escalating basic goods and commodities. It was based on the various wage determination criteria provided under the Wage Rationalization Act.

"The new rates, which translate to about 5.7% increase from the prevailing daily minimum wage rates in the region, remain above the latest regional poverty threshold for a family of five," DOLE said.

"These likewise result in a comparable 5% increase in wage-related benefits covering 13th month pay, service incentive leave (SIL), and social security benefits such as SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG," it added.

In June, the RTWPB-NCR held an open forum with various stakeholders regarding the push for a wage increase.

The last minimum wage increase in NCR was implemented on July 16, 2023 at P610 for the non-agricultural sector and P573 for the agriculture sector.

But it was just a P40 raise which workers said is still inadequate to keep up with prices of goods.

During this year's Labor Day, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. ordered a review of the minimum wage rates in every region.—Hana Bordey/AOL/KBK, GMA Integrated News