ILOILO City – So far, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 6 has not received complaints against employers for not implementing Wage Order No. 24 that increases the minimum wage of workers in Western Visayas, according to Director Johnson Cañete.
Wage Order No. 24 took effect on July 12.
Cañete said the increase should already be reflected on the July 31 pay slips of employees.
But he did not discount the possibility that some employers and employees may have other arrangements.
“Puede rin kasi na sa August sila (wage hike) ipasok. Hindi necessary na July 31. Puede naman re-imbursements (for July 12 to 31 period). I’m sure employers will try their best na sa August mabigay na sa payroll,” said Cañete.
The director also said DOLE-6 has yet to hear from the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) regarding possible petitions against Wage Order No. 24 by employers, or petitions for exemption from the hike. These petitions should have been filed within 10 days after the wage order took effect.”
Section 8 of Wage Order No. 24 stated: “Companies may seek exemptions from the implementation (of the wage increase) if they fall into three exceptional circumstances, namely, if establishments are distressed, if these are new business enterprises, and if affected by calamities.”
As approved by the RTWPB, the following are the new minimum wage rates:
* P365 in non-agriculture / industrial / commercial sector employing more than 10 workers; the previous rate was P323.50
* P295 in non-agriculture / industrial / commercial sector employing 10 workers or below; the previous rate was P271.50
* P295 in agricultural plantations; the previous rate was P281.50
* P295 in agricultural non-plantation; the previous rate was P271.50 /PN
