DOLE approves minimum wage hike rules for C. Visayas, C. Luzon

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has approved pay increases of P22 and P6 for minimum wage earners in Central Visayas and Central Luzon respectively.

Baldoz also signed the implementing rules for a P7 increase in the cost of living allowance (COLA) and the integration of the previous P10 COLA for minimum wage earners in Eastern Visayas.

Central Visayas

The P22 salary adjustment in Central Visayas took effect December 7, bringing the minimum salary range in the region to P262-P327 depending on the area classification and industry sectors.

However, the increase does not apply to the wages of domestic helpers and other workers employed in the personal service of another, such as family drivers and barangay micro business enterprise (BMBE) workers.

Also under the pay hike rules, “workers who are paid by results, piecework, takay, pakyaw, or on task-basis shall receive not less than the minimum wage rate for normal eight-working-hours, based on a prescribed formula.”

Private schools have until the beginning of school year 2013-2014 to adjust their workers’ salary.

However, distressed establishments, new business enterprises, and retail/service establishments adversely affected by natural calamities may apply for exemptions with the  Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).

Eastern Visayas

For Eastern Visayas, the P7 added to the COLA will be on top of the existing P15 COLA under Wage Order No. RB VII-16, Baldoz said.

“This is in line with the DOLE’s wage reform measure, the two-tiered wage system, which consists of a mandatory floor wage and a productivity-based pay,” she said.

The RTWPB will issue an advisory on the performance-based pay, which will be implemented through negotiations or collective bargaining between employers and workers.

Central Luzon

Last week, Baldoz also signed the implementing rules of the Wage Order No. RB III-17, which includes a basic pay increase of P6 a day for Central Luzon wage earners effective October 11 and the integration of the P24 COLA for workers in the region.

This new wage rate covers the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales and the cities of Angeles, Balanga, Cabanatuan, Gapan, Malolos, Muños, Olongapo, Palayan, San Fernando, San Jose Del Monte and Tarlac. — BM, GMA News