Wage board sets P14 daily pay hike for Ilocos workers

By Freddie Lazaro

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — Workers in the Ilocos Region now have a P14 increase in their daily wage, upon the order of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board of Region 1(RTWPB-1).

Director Grace Y. Ursua, the chairperson of the RTWPB, said the daily salary increase took effect on July 19, 2015 and will be given in two tranches – the first P7 upon effectivity of the order; and another P7 on Dec. 1, 2015.

Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Wage Order Number RBI-17 issued by the RTWPB, the new daily minimum wage rate increase covered the workers and employees below the Poverty Threshold particularly in the Non-Agriculture (Micro) and Agriculture (Non-Plantation).

“The increase is consistent with the government policy to alleviate the living conditions of the workers particularly those receiving wage rates below the Regional Poverty Threshold as it will benefit 118,847 workers and employees working in 45,542 micro establishments in the Ilocos region,” she said.

Before the issuance of the new wage order hike, Ursua revealed that series of public hearings were conducted on May 18, 19, and 20, 2015 in Vigan City for the provinces of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, City of San Fernando, La Union and Dagupan City, respectively to gather the positions of both the labor and the management sectors.

However, excluded in the increase are the “kasambahay” or domestic workers; persons employed in the personal service of another including family drivers; and workers and employees of registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) with Certifications of Authority.

The new wage order also provides exemptions to distressed establishments, new business establishments, retail/service establishments employing not more than ten workers, and establishments adversely affected by calamities such as natural and/or human induced disasters.