Starting next month, private sector workers and domestic helpers in Eastern Visayas will see the tangible benefits of a newly approved wage increase.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has sanctioned a P30 daily minimum wage hike applicable across all sectors.
This decision, announced by Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, will elevate the daily minimum wage rates to a range of P405 to P435 depending on the specific industry.
Additionally, domestic workers, locally known as 'kasambahay', will receive a monthly wage increase of P500, raising their minimum monthly pay from P5,500 to P6,000.
These wage adjustments were officially affirmed by the National Wages and Productivity Commission on November 13.
They are scheduled to take effect on December 2.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) emphasized that the increases were influenced by several factors, including the needs of employees and their families, the financial capability of employers, and the broader economic development goals of the region.
Consultations and public hearings were integral to the wage determination process, enabling the Regional Board, which consists of representatives from government, management, and labor sectors, to gather insights and feedback from affected stakeholders.
The new wage rates for private sector workers represent a seven percent boost over the previous rates while also triggering a 10 percent increase in various wage-related benefits, including 13th-month pay and contributions to social security programs like the Social Security System, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG.
Overall, the wage order is expected to positively impact approximately 126,095 minimum wage earners in the region.
Furthermore, there could be indirect benefits for around 175,639 full-time wage and salary workers earning above the minimum wage.
These individuals may experience upward adjustments in their compensation due to the need for wage parity within enterprises, as employers address wage distortions triggered by the new minimum wage rates.
For domestic workers, the wage increase is projected to enhance the livelihoods of approximately 57,080 kasambahays.
Of this number, an estimated 10,302 domestic workers, or 18 percent, are in live-in arrangements, underscoring the critical need for financial support among vulnerable workers in the sector.
The last wage adjustments for private sector employees and domestic workers in Eastern Visayas were enacted on November 6 and took effect on November 30.
The recent approval of additional increases serves to reinforce the ongoing efforts to improve wage conditions in the region.
As the new wage orders come into effect, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board continues to navigate the complexities of regional employment norms against the backdrop of economic realities.
The implementation of these wage increases reflects a concerted effort to enhance the quality of life for workers and their communities while supporting sustainable growth within local industries.
With these changes set to take effect, December promises to bring renewed hope and financial relief to many workers across Eastern Visayas.
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