CORTES, Bohol (PIA) — The Regional Tripartite Wage Productivity Board (RTWPB) approved a P33 increase in minimum daily wage, which would be implemented starting October 1, 2023.
With this, about 346, 946 minimum wage earners in the region will directly benefit from the daily wage increase, according to the wage board in a press material released recently.
The increase for minimum wage earners in private establishments in the Central Visayas was approved last September 5, 2023.
Owing to this, the increase brings the minimum wages in large non-agriculture establishments to a range of PhP420-468, and PhP415-PhP458 in agriculture and non-agriculture establishments with less than ten workers based on the geographical area and cities classification, RTWPB said.
In Bohol, except for Tagbilaran City, minimum wage earners who work in large non-agricultural establishments can get P420 as daily minimum wage, while workers in smaller non-agricultural establishments or agricultural establishments employing less than 10 workers, have to get P415 daily, at least.
For Tagbilaran City, which is considered among Class B cities in the region, like Bais, Bayawan, Bogo, Canlaon, Dumaguete, Guihulngan, Tanjay and Toledo, the RTWPB approved increase brings to P430.00 as daily wage for workers in large non-agri establishments while non-agri and agricultural establishments with less than 10 workers can hand out P425.00.
Private sector workers in cities in Cebu, like Carcar, Danao, Lapulapu, Mandaue, Naga, Talisay and larger municipalities like Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Liloan, Minglanilla, and San Fernando also get P468 minimum for large non-agri establishments and P458 for workers in still non-agri establishments or agricultural establishments with less than 10 workers.
It may be recalled that the RTWPB accepted wage petitions, as workers and labor unions and associations bring out the increasing cost of food, basic goods and basic commodities.
They then conducted a series of wage public hearings, last August 10 in Bohol at the Kew Hotel, and the following day for Siquijor and Negros Oriental after completing the public hearing last July 10 for northern Cebu, July 26 for Metro Cebu and August 1 for southern Cebu.
According to the wage board, they considered the wage determination criteria under Republic Act 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act in determining the amount of the increase, despite the fact that major groups haggling for a P100 across the board increase, said it is not even sufficient to cover the lost value for money due to inflation.
Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry through its President Dominic Butalid initially presented a zero increase, citing the disasters and the inflation that has also adversely affected tourism businesses which are Bohol’s primary engines.
Over this, the RTWPB citing the Omnibus Rules on Minimum Wage Determination, said retail and service establishments employing not more than 10 workers and establishments adversely affected by natural calamities and or human-induced disasters may apply for exemption from the wage increase.
Moreover, establishments registered as Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBE) are not covered by the minimum wage law pursuant to Republic Act 9178, the wage board reminded everyone.
Also, wage exemption applications and clarifications on the wage order may be sent to RTWPB VII through rb7@produktiboatsahod.onmicrosoft.com. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
