• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The P30 increase in the daily minimum salary of private sector workers in Region 6, or P480 from P450, takes effect today, Nov. 16, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board VI reminds employers and employees.
The new minimum wage rates shall cover the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental, including the component cities, and highly urbanized cities of Bacolod and Iloilo, Wage Order No. RBVI-27, approved Oct. 16, states.
“The minimum wage rates prescribed under this Order shall be for the normal working hours which shall not exceed eight hours of work per day. It shall apply to all minimum wage earners in the private sector within Western Visayas regardless of their position, designation, or status and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid,” the order stressed.
The P480 daily minimum rate shall be for non-agriculture/industrial/commercial establishments employing more than 10 workers. Businesses with 10 or less employees shall pay P450 per worker each day, and P440 in the agriculture sector.
The new minimum salary of kasambahays, or domestic workers, on the other hand, is P5,000 a month, or an increase of P500, as per Wage Order No. RBVI-DW-05, also set to take effect today.
The salary hike for domestic workers, whether on a live-in or live-out arrangement, shall cover the general househelp, yaya, cook, gardener, laundry person, and any person who regularly performs domestic work in one household on an occupational basis.
Not covered are service providers, family drivers, children under a foster family arrangement and are provided access to education and given an allowance incidental to education, and any other person who performs work occasionally or sporadically and not on an occupational basis, the RTWPB6 said.
It added that it decided on a P30 daily wage hike, following a series of consultations, and considering the existing socio-economic conditions in Western Visayas.
“In view of the new wage order effective Nov. 16, the RTWPB6, in partnership with the DOLE Region 6 and the National Conciliation and Mediation Board- Regional Branch VI, will conduct a wage clinique webinar on Dec. 6, at 9:30 a.m. via zoom,” its advisory said Nov. 15.
The webinar will discuss the new wage order, wage distortion, grievance machinery, and voluntary arbitration. Those interested may register at https://bit.ly/rb6signup. | CGC
