The Department of Labor and Employment-Davao (DOLE-11) has warned employers they can face sanctions if they do not comply with the new wage increase.

Workers in the region have started receiving a P38 increase in their daily wage since September 1, 2024 following the wage order implemented by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).

“Malaking tulong talaga ang pag-increase ng sahod. Ang sahod may pinaglalaanan talaga,” a worker, Kendra Tribulano, said.

DOLE-11 warned employers that those who will not follow the wage order may be sanctioned and face complaints from employees.

DOLE-11 also conducts labor inspection monitoring regularly but admits it does not have enough inspectors.

“I would be honest, I am asking Congress to give additional budget, tagaan mi og additional labor inspectors… pila ra gud among labor inspectors, 32 ra mi kabuok unya libo atong establishment diri… di makaya unya naa pa gyud tay tupad,” DOLE-11 Director, Atty. Randolf Pensoy, said.

According to the National Labor Relations Commission Regional Arbitration Branch-Davao, most of those complained of not paying their employees properly are micro enterprises.

“In so far as my cases is concerned, usually, naa na sila sa minimum wage except pang tung mga micro businesses. Usually, and depensa nila, BME, which is exempted for complying the minimum wage. Kinahanglan pud na nila pamatud-an nga BME sila, barangay micro business enterprise,” NLRC Executive Labor Arbiter, Atty. Nelia Tancio-Sedillo, said.