Pay hike seen for workers in 11 regions

MANILA, Philippines – Workers from the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and 10 other regions are expected to receive salary increases after the regional wage boards completed public consultations on petitions for a pay hike, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said yesterday.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the Calabarzon regional wage board is expected to issue a new wage order within the month.

Baldoz said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Bicol region is expected to issue a new wage order in the coming weeks as it completed the public hearings last month.

So did the RTWPB in the Cordilllera Autonomous Region, which according to her, is set to start deliberation within the week.

The labor chief said the wage board in Ilocos region is completing the process of issuing a new wage order, while the board in Cagayan Valley is deliberating on the possibility of granting a wage increase.

According to Baldoz, six other wage boards, including the National Capital Region, have recently granted wage increases to workers.

In the Western Visayas, the wage board granted a P10-increase in the daily pay of minimum wage earners.

Other regions that granted salary increases were Western Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) and CARAGA.

“The remaining RTWPBs are aware that the current wage orders in their regions have passed their anniversary dates and are wrapping up their public consultations and public hearings,” Baldoz said.

Although there is no wage petition, Baldoz said, the wage board in Central Luzon is reviewing the economic indicators to determine if there is a need to grant a pay hike for workers.

For the quake-damaged areas of Central Visayas, Baldoz said, the board is also conducting a wage review. –Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)