TACLOBAN CITY—Private-sector workers in typhoon Yolanda-weary Eastern Visayas will receive salary increases based on the new wage structure implemented effective May 1, Labor Day.
According to Section 1 of the Wage Order No. RB VIII-18 released to the media by Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board under the Department of Labor and Employment, “upon the effectivity of this wage order, the fifteen pesos (Php15.00) Cost of Living Allowance prescribed under Wage Order No. RB VIII-16 shall be integrated into the basic pay.”
“Further, all workers in Retail and Service Sector employing 10 workers and below shall receive an additional Six pesos (Php 6.00) increase in the basic pay. Furthermore, all workers in the private sector in Eastern Visayas receiving the basic wage rates prescribed herein shall continue to receive Seven pesos (Php7.00) coast of living allowance in Wage Order No. RB VIII017,” said in the order.
“And finally, all workers in the non-plantation sector of the Sugar Industry shall receive an additional wage adjustment of Fourteen pesos and fifty centavos (Php14.50) which shall be granted in two trances: Seven pesos and fifty centavos (Php7.50) upon effectivity; and, Seven pesos (Php7.00) on May 1, 2015,” it added.
The amounts mentioned will be applied to workers’ daily rates.
According to the order, the wage classification of Non-Plantation and Plantation workers are “simplified and shall henceforth be classified as Farm by May 1, 2015.”
The new wage order was a result of series of public consultations with the various labor and management sectors in the region, this also after a “review on economic indicators” following the “movements in the prices of oil and fuel products” and the effects of super typhoon Yolanda which levelled most of Eastern Visayas in November 2013.
Proponents of the new wage order however said that the granting of economic “relief” to minimum wage earners are done “without impairing the viability of business in the region.”
The new wage order which was approved on March 24, 2015, was signed by DOLE regional director Elias A. Cayanong, Chairman; National Economic Development Authority regional director Bonicafio G. Uy, Vice-chairman; Department of Trade and Industry regional director Cynthia R. Nierras, Vice-chairwoman; Efren M. Gabriola, Worker’s representative; Miguel T. Tezon, Workers’ representative; and Orlando C. Uy, Employers’ representative.
On May 1, the new daily minimum wage rates structure for Eastern Visayas by sector based on the minimum wage rates upon effectivity plus COLA under Wage Order No. RB VIII-17 shall be as follows:
Non-agriculture: P260. 00 (P253.00 plus P7.00).
Cottage/Handicraft: P238.00 (P231.00 plus P7.00).
Retail/Service employing 10 workers and below: P235.00 (P228.00 plus P7.00).
Agricultural (Non-sugar): P241.00 (P234.00 plus P7.00).
Sugar Industry (Mills): P262.00 (P255.00 plus P7.00).
Sugar Industry (Farm): P235.00 (P228.00 plus P7.00)