Western Visayas wage earners, 'kasambahay' get pay hike

MANILA – The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-Region 6 has approved an additional P32 to P40 increase in the salaries of the minimum wage earners in Western Visayas.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the RTWPB motu proprio issued Wage Order No. RBVI-28 last Oct. 22, granting the daily wage increase for private sector workers in the region.

"This brings the daily minimum wage rates in the region to a range of P485-P513 in the non-agriculture sector and PP480 in the agriculture sector," it said.

The RTWPB Western Visayas also approved a P1,000 monthly increase for kasambahay (domestic workers), bringing the region's monthly minimum wage to P6,000.

The wage order will take effect on Nov. 17 after its publication on Nov. 1.

The increase will directly benefit 193,032 minimum wage earners and 160,795 domestic workers, 31 percent of whom are on live-in arrangements.

As in any wage order, and as provided for in the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) Omnibus Rules on Minimum Wage Determination, retail/service establishments regularly employing not more than 10 workers, and enterprises affected by natural calamities and/or human-induced disasters may apply to the RTWPB for exemption from the wage increase.

It added that Registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) are not covered by the minimum wage law pursuant to Republic Act 9178 [2002].

The last wage orders for workers in private establishments and domestic workers in the region were both issued on Oct. 16, 2023 and became effective on Nov. 16, 2023. (PNA)