W. Visayas workers to get pay hike

MANILA, Philippines -  Minimum wage earners in Western Visayas will get a salary increase starting March 16, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) announced yesterday.

In a statement, the NWPC said it affirmed Wage Order 23 recently issued by the regional wage board, which covers workers in Iloilo, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras and Negros Occidental. 

Workers in companies with more than 10 employees will receive an increase of P25 in their daily wage while those with 10 workers and below will get P15. 

Plantation and non-plantation workers will get an increase of P15.

This means that the daily minimum wage of workers in the non-agricultural and industrial sectors as well as commercial establishments with more than 10 workers will increase to P323.50. Those in companies with 10 workers and below will get P271.50.

Workers in plantations will receive a daily wage of P281.50 while non-plantation workers will get P271.50. 

The NWPC said household or domestic workers, personal assistants and those in micro business enterprises are not covered by the wage order. 

Workers in new and distressed establishments, including those affected by natural and man-made calamities, are also exempted from the wage hike.