W. Visayas wage board to decide on ‘kasambahay’ pay hike

BACOLOD CITY — The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Western Visayas (RTWPB-6) is set to deliberate on the proposals to increase the wage of household workers or “kasambahay” after conducting two public hearings.

The second and last public hearing was held in this city on Thursday amid oppositions to the proposal.

Wennie Sancho, labor representative to the RTWPB-6, said a group proposed to place under status quo the current monthly salary rate of domestic workers in the region.

In Iloilo City on Tuesday, some groups also objected to the increase and moved for the same proposal, he said.

Wage Order No. 2, which lapsed last December 8, prescribed a minimum wage rate of PHP3,500 per month for domestic workers in Western Visayas.

The order removed the classification of “kasambahay” since all are now entitled to receive the same wage rate regardless of whether they are working in cities or different classes of municipalities.

Sancho said other proposals include a PHP500 and a PHP1,000 increase per month, wherein the latter was pushed by non-government organization and labor advocate “Voice of the Free”, formerly the “Visayan Forum”.

“The wage board will consolidate the results of the public hearings during the two deliberations scheduled before March 15,” he said.

Sancho added the RTWPB-6 is expected to make a decision by the middle of the month.

In Wage Order No. 1, domestic workers in cities and first-class municipalities were prescribed to receive PHP2,500 per month while those in other towns were entitled to get PHP2,000.

The salary of domestic workers in cities and first-class municipalities increased by PHP1,000 per month, and those in other towns, PHP1,500 as provided in Wage Order No. 2.

Under the new proposal, the increase may range from PHP500 to PHP1,000 per month.

If approved, all household workers in Western Visayas will be entitled to get a monthly wage of up to PHP4,500. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1063313

Boracay employers ordered to implement wage hike

BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-6 (Western Visayas) told employers on Boracay Island, Aklan to implement the daily minimum wage increase, which took effect on January 27.

DOLE-6 Regional Director Cyril Ticao, who also chairs the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-6, said on Monday they have already issued notices on the effectivity of the pay increase in the island-resort.

“We are reminding employers there to implement additional provisions of the existing wage order,” he said.

Wage Order No. 24, which was approved by the board in June 2018, provides that the wage increase in Boracay should take effect three months after its re-opening last October.

The decision took into consideration the temporary closure of the island-destination, which resulted in the non-operation of establishments for six months.

There was no wage increase and provision of cost of living allowance in all three barangays of Malay town, which includes Boracay Island, for three months.

In the rest of the areas in Western Visayas, the PHP13.50 to PHP41.50 increase per day took effect last July 12.

Ticao said it is the obligation of the establishments in Boracay to ensure that workers are properly paid as this will contribute to improving their productivity.

Wage Order No. 24 sets the new minimum wage rates, including the Cost of Living Allowance, at PHP295 and PHP365 per day.

Ticao said workers may report erring employers to their office, and they will conduct inspection to validate the complaint.

He said though that due process will be given to erring establishments, which should pay in retroactive the amount of increase they have not given to their workers.

“If ever they fail, we will issue an order requiring them for double indemnity,” Ticao added. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060340

Employers urged to pay P5 COLA for sugar industry workers

BACOLOD CITY — Employers in the sugar industry enterprises in Western Visayas were urged to pay their workers the PHP5 daily cost of living allowance (COLA) starting January 17.

Labor sector representative Wennie Sancho made the call on Thursday after the effectivity of the allowance was tackled by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-6 (Western Visayas) in its earlier meeting in Iloilo City.

“They have to faithfully pay it. It’s just a small amount,” he said.

Wennie Sancho, labor sector representative to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-Western Visayas.
*File photo by Erwin P. Nicavera*

Sancho said the living allowance would help minimum wage earners in Region 6 cope with the rising cost of petroleum products, which also leads to the increase in the prices of basic goods.

“It (PHP5 COLA) is one of the new provisions of the latest wage order,” he added.

Wage Order No. 24, which was approved by the RTWPB-6 in June last year, provides that such allowance will take effect six months after the wage increase became effective in July 16, 2018.

Sancho said the Department of Labor and Employment-6 headed by Regional Director Cyril Ticao is expected to issue an advisory on the effectivity of the PHP5 living allowance.

Wage Order 24, which mandated an increase of PHP13.50 to PHP41.50 in the daily minimum wage in Region 6, provides for the said COLA among workers of sugar industry enterprises in the agricultural, industrial, and commercial sectors.

The current minimum wage in Western Visayas, including the living allowance, is pegged at PHP295 and PHP365 per day.

Another provision includes the effectivity of the wage increase on Boracay Island starting January 27.

The island-resort was closed for six months from April to October last year. As part of the moratorium, the new wage increase will take effect only three months after the re-opening of the island.

Considering that business operations in the entire Aklan were also affected, the wage increase took effect in other areas of the province only last November 2018. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1059245