THE wage hike granted to workers in Region 11 is set to take effect on January 1, 2012.
Department of Labor and Employment regional director Joffrey Suyao bared over Talking Points, a weekly radio program aired over DXRP- Radyo ng Bayan, said the wage order integrates into the basic wage the cost of living allowance or COLA of P15 as provided for under Wage Order RB XI-16.
It provides for a P15 cost of living allowance P5 of which will be given out starting January while the P10 remaining balance will follow in May 2012.
Suyao also explained that based on Wage Order No. RB XI-17, minimum wage earners in the non-agriculture sector in the Davao region will begin to receive P291.00 daily wage by January, while workers in the agriculture sector will receive a daily wage of P281.
Workers in retail/service companies with more than 10 workers will receive P291.00 daily pay, while those in establishments with not more than 10 workers will get P260.00 in daily pay, after the wage order takes effect.
By May 1, 2012, workers should expect a new minimum wage of P301 for the non-agri sector and P291 daily wage for the non-agri sector. Workers in establishment with more than 10 workers will get P301 daily while those with less than 10 workers will get P270 daily.
Suyao also cited the wage order as to cover “all workers and employees in the private sector receiving the minimum wage regardless of position, designation, or status of employment and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid.”
“The only exemption was given to household or domestic helpers, family drivers, persons employed in the personal service of another and workers in registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprise.
The DOLE tells the public that the wage order is a product of series of deliberations, debates, and public hearings which have always involved representatives of the labor sector, government, and employer sector.
“It was decided unanimously by all representatives of the board. The granting of the wage hike is basically to help workers recover lost purchasing power,” he said. [PIA 11/MAI GEVERA-MACAPAGAT]
