After the implementation of two minimum wage increases in Eastern Visayas, there has been talk that no minimum wage hike will be implemented all over the country for the coming year, 2024.
This year 2023, the Regional Tripartate Wages and Productivity Board VIII implemented the second tranche of wage hike on January 2, followed by another wage hike just last November 30. From P375 per day, the region's minimum wage is now at P405.
Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, said out of 16 RTWPB, 11 had already implemented an increase which ranged from P400 to P1,000. Furthermore, Laguesma said that the majority of the RTWPB released the wage orders motu propio or with no formal petition requesting for an increase.
Better than nothing
On the other hand, the public is divided on the news. Some are stil concerned while others are still thankful.
"Makakuruan gad kun waray gud man increase next year kay it papliton kamamahal, ada pa it pamasahe. Ano naman la kami nga mga ulian. Bisan yana it P405 baga makuri pag unat unat labi na kun commute sapungan pa kamamahal hit bugas yana," Randy, a construction worker and minimum wage earner said.
Meanwhile, others are optimistic and are greatful for the current wage implemented in the region. "Hin-o ba it na diri hin increase. Pero siring pa, ano pa man? pasalamat ngani kta natagan increase. Baman han una nga P325 na uutakan man say pa ito nga sobrahay na P400. Trabahuan nala kay baman kun iharatag, ig hahatag man tun," another worker said.
Fine, what the minimum wage earners and the general working class want is to actually feel the effects of the wage increase rather than the weight of the increasing prices of commodities and cost of living.
As one worker said, "if given, then thanks, but if not, we would just have to tighten our belts over the increasing prices and work twice as hard for little pay."
Let it sink in
Laguesma added that they will let the wage increase granted in 2023 to first "sink in" to ensure that the latest wage orders are indeed complied. "It is in the mandate of the DOLE to make sure there is compliance with the wage order," Laguesma said.
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