Calabarzon workers to get pay hike

MANILA, Philippines — Minimum wage earners in Calabarzon will get an increase in their daily take-home pay.

The regional wage board issued an order granting an increase of P35 to P50 in the daily wage of workers in the region, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported yesterday.

The National Wages and Productivity Commission said the wage order, which was issued on Sept. 1, would take effect on Sept. 24.

With the wage hike, the daily salary of workers in the non-agriculture sector will increase from P385 to P520; agriculture sector, P385 to P479, and retail and service establishments with more than 10 workers, P385.

Workers in the agriculture sector in Calaca, Batangas and Carmona, Cavite will get an increase of P89 due to their reclassification from first class municipalities to component cities.

Various labor groups had filed separate petitions seeking an increase in the daily minimum wage due to rising prices of basic goods and commodities.

The wage board said the new rates translate to an increase of nine to 11 percent compared to the prevailing daily minimum wage rates in the region.

The wage adjustments will result in a 23-percent  increase in wage-related benefits covering 13th-month pay, service incentive leave and social security benefits.

The  DOLE said the wage order is expected to benefit up to 719,704 minimum wage earners in Calabarzon.

Around 1.6 million non-minimum wage and salary workers may indirectly benefit due to upward adjustments with the correction of wage distortions.

Establishments with fewer than 10 workers or affected by calamities may apply for exemption.