Minimum wage hikes approved in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, SOCCSKSARGEN —DOLE

The government has approved minimum wage increases in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and SOCCSKSARGEN, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced on Wednesday.

DOLE also said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has approved a P500 hike in the monthly salary of domestic workers in Cagayan Valley, increasing their monthly minimum wage to P6,000.

A total of 49,165 domestic workers are expected to benefit from the wage increase. Of this number, 7,394 or about 15% are on live-in arrangements while 41,771 or 85% are on live-out arrangements.  

The DOLE said the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) affirmed the wage order that granted a P30 daily minimum wage increase in all sectors in Cagayan Valley, increasing the daily minimum wage from P450 to P480 for the non-agriculture sector, and from P430 to P460 for the agriculture sector. 

Meanwhile, the RTWPB in Central Luzon likewise issued a wage order granting a P50 to P66 hike to increase the daily minimum wage rates to P500-P550 in the non-agriculture sector; P485-P520 in the agriculture sector; and P435-540 and P435-540 in retail and service establishments. 

The RTWPB in SOCCSKSARGEN likewise approved a P27-P48 wage increase in the region, bringing the daily minimum wages to P430 in the non-agriculture sector including retail and service establishments, and P410 in the agriculture sector. 

The wage orders will take effect on October 17, 2024, according to DOLE. 

“The new rates for workers in private establishments translate to about 7%-15% increase from the prevailing daily minimum wage rates in these three regions, and result in a comparable 7%-12% increase in wage-related benefits covering 13th-month pay, service incentive leave, and social security benefits such as SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG,” said DOLE. 

DOLE added the wage hike is seen to directly benefit a total of 905,000 minimum wage earners in the three regions. 

In May, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said some regional wage boards will begin the review of wage orders after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. ordered a review of the minimum wage rates in every region.

The RTWPB approved a P35 hike in the daily minimum wage of workers in the National Capital Region (NCR) in July, increasing it from P610 to P645 for the non-agriculture sector. It likewise granted a P21 to P75 increase in the daily wage in Calabarzon in September. 

Laguesma previously said the DOLE is expecting all RTWPBs across the country to finish their respective reviews before the end of the year. —KBK, GMA Integrated News