Wages now above poverty threshold – DOLE

All workers nationwide are now getting wages above poverty threshold, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said with the approval of the new wage rates in Central Luzon, the DOLE already achieved its target of providing all workers wages above poverty threshold.

“With the issuance of wage order in Region 3, DOLE meets its target set at the beginning of the Aquino administration that all the country’s 30 minimum wage rates will be above the poverty threshold level before the end of its term,” Baldoz said.

“This is a victory not only for all Filipino workers, but for all Filipinos,” she added.

A few days ago, Baldoz said, the National Wages and Productivity Commission affirmed the order of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board raising the minimum wages of workers in Central Luzon.

Baldoz said the Wage board approved a P15 increase in daily pay of workers in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales and P20 per day minimum wages for workers in Aurora.

The increase of P15 a day shall be given in two tranches: P8 upon effectivity and an additional P7 starting May next year.

Baldoz said the latest wage hike brought to P364 the minimum wage in the region. The rate is already higher than the poverty threshold of P248 for a family of five as of December 2012.

For workers in Aurora, the increase of P20 per day shall be given, also in two tranches. The first tranche of P10 will be given upon effectivity of the wage order, and the second tranche of P10 on May 1, 2016.

Baldoz said the 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 (BMBEs).

The wage board also 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. – Mayen Jaymalin, The Philippine Star