NWPC: Some firms exempt from pay hike

MANILA, Philippines — Certain commercial establishments in Metro Manila are exempted from giving their workers the mandatory pay increase, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) said yesterday.

“The qualified establishments may file their exemption until Sept. 13,” the NWPC announced in an advisory.

Companies allowed to seek exemption are those engaged in retail and service businesses that employ not more than 10 workers.

Establishments adversely affected by natural calamities or human-induced disasters may also file for wage hike exemption.

Last June 26, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in the National Capital Region approved a new wage order granting a P40 increase in the daily pay of minimum wage earners.

The increase brings to P610 the daily minimum wage rate of workers in the non-agricultural sector and P573 for those in the agriculture, service and retail sectors employing not more than 15 workers and manufacturing firms employing not more than 10 workers.

The exemption is only valid for a year.  Exempted establishments shall pay their workers the prescribed wage rates in the previous wage order.