DOLE Kalinga officials orient employers on new wage order

TABUK CITY, Kalinga  - - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) oriented 68 employers and employees in the province  on the implementation of Wage Order RB-CAR-16 which took effect  last  February 3.

Dr. Alexander Gumabol, DOLE Kalinga Field Office head,  said the orientation on February 18 at the Golden Berries Hotel and Convention Center here,  aimed to let  employers and employees understand the provisions, approved minimum wage and productivity based pay under the two tiered wage system.

“Employers and employees in the province have to be oriented on wage order number 16 since its implementation is now mandatory,” he said.

Aside from the P247 daily minimum wage set by Wage Order 16 in Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province and Abra, additional pay is also mandated in the form of bonuses or incentives for workers based on their productive work performance or good work behavior.

Tax incentives will also be granted to those who adopt the second tier. “Fifty percent tax deduction from the total productivity bonuses is given to employees and another 50% grants for manpower training and special studies given to rank-and-file employees, Gumabol said.

He was happy to inform that some employer-participants signified during the forum their willingness to implement the wage order this year.

“The positive response is resounding among the participants especially from the employers group,” Dr. Gumabol said adding that this will greatly contribute to the attainment of the inclusive growth program of President Aquino.

Gumabol said if there are complaints from less than 10 employees, they will recommend for an action plan to correct any deficiency in the implementation of the wage order.

If after  three months  there will be no compliance to the action plan, it will become a labor case,” he said. – Peter Balocnit