Minimum wage up in Central Luzon
THE National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) has concurred on the newest wage order in Central Luzon.
“We have unanimously affirmed Wage Order No. RB III-19 which raises by PhP15 per day the minimum wage in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales and by PhP20 per day in Aurora for workers in retail and services establishments with less than 16 workers,” Labor and Employment Secretary and NWPC Chairperson Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said in a statement.
“With this, DOLE was able to meet its target that all of the country’s 30 minimum wage rates will be above the poverty threshold level before President Aquino’s term ends. This is a victory not only for Filipino workers but for all Filipinos,” Baldoz added.
The increase of PhP15 per day in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales shall be given in two tranches: PhP8 on the first which is upon implementation of the order and PhP7 on May 1, 2016.
“With this, the highest minimum wage in the region is now PhP364, which is above the poverty threshold of PhP248 for a family of five as of December 2012,” DOLE Regional Director Ana Dione said.
For Aurora, the increase of PhP20 per day shall likewise be given in two tranches: first tranche of PhP10 upon the implementation of the order and the additional PhP10 by May 1, 2016.
This latest wage order applies to all minimum wage earners in the private sector in Region 3 regardless of position, designation, status of employment, and methods by which the wages are paid.
Those who are not covered by the wage order are kasambahay and persons employed in personal service of another, including family drivers and workers of Barangay Micro Business Enterprises.
In issuing the wage order, the Regional Wage Board encourages establishments to adopt productivity improvement schemes such as time and motion studies, good housekeeping, quality circles, and labor management cooperation, as well as to implement gain sharing programs.
“Complaints for non-compliance with Wage Order RB III-19 shall be filed with DOLE Regional Office 3 and shall be subject of enforcement proceedings under Article 128 of the Labor Code,” Dione added.
Any person, corporation, trust, or firm, partnership, association, or entity which refuses or fails to pay the prescribed wage rates shall be subject to penal provisions under Republic Act 6727, or the Minimum Wage Fixing Law. (PIA 3)
