Region VI minimum wage earners, kasambahays to receive higher pay starting November

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) VI has approved a P33-P40 wage hike for minimum wage earners, increasing the daily wage rates to P485-P513 in the non-agriculture sector and P480 in the agriculture sector in Western Visayas. 

According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) reviewed and affirmed the  wage order, which will take effect on November 17, a day after the anniversary of the latest wage order issued in November 2023. 

The RTWPB likewise approved a P1,000 monthly increase for domestic workers (kasambahays) in the region, bringing their monthly minimum wage to P6,000. 

“The new rates for workers in the private sector translate to a 7%- 9% increase from the prevailing daily minimum wage rates in the region and result in a comparable 11% increase in wage-related benefits covering 13th-month pay, service incentive leave (SIL), and social security benefits such as SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG,” DOLE said. 

DOLE said the wage order is seen to directly benefit 193,032 minimum wage earners and indirectly benefit at least 300,252 full-time wage and salary workers earning above the minimum wage. 

At least 160,795 domestic workers, 31% of whom are on live-in arrangements, are also expected to benefit from the wage hike.

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 P33 hike in the daily minimum wage in Ilocos Region, increasing the daily wage to agriculture sector and non-agriculture sector employing less than 10 employees to P435 and non-agriculture sector employing 10 or more employees to P468. 

In July, a P35 wage increase was approved in National Capital Region (NCR), bringing the daily minimum wage to P610 to P645 for the non-agriculture sector.

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