Labor ministry approves P16 wage increase for agri, non-agri sectors in BARMM

The Bangsamoro Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (BTWPB) has approved an increase of P16 in the minimum wage of employees and workers both in agriculture and non-agriculture sectors across the Bangsamoro region.

Under Wage Order No. BARMM-02 approved on June 15, the wage increase applies to non-agriculture workers employed in industrial, manufacturing, construction, commercial, mining, and academe, except family drivers, those employed in the personal service of another, and workers in registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises with Certificates of Authority pursuant to R.A 9178.

Workers in plantation, non-plantation, and retail under the agriculture sector are also eligible to receive the P16 wage increase.

This means that the new basic pay rate will be P316.00 from P300.00 for the non-agriculture sector and P306.00 from P290.00 for the agriculture sector in all provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and cities of Lamitan and Marawi.

On the other hand, workers in Cotabato City and Special Geographic Area (SGA) in North Cotabato are now enjoying the new daily minimum wage rate ranging from P325.00 to P341.00 for the non-agriculture sector and from P300.00 to P316 for the agriculture sector.

However, the wage increase order shall not be applicable to retail and service establishments regularly employing not more than 10 workers, distressed establishments, new business enterprises, and establishments  adversely affected by disasters of natural and man-made disasters.

Prior to the increase in wage rates, the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) conducted a series of public consultations with the tripartite sectors of BARMM to listen to the employees and workers.

“After public consultations and hearings, the BARMM region's wage increase is P16.00 in the meantime, since we also have to listen to our business sectors and we have to consider that they were also affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said MOLE Minister Muslimin Sema.

Sema said the wage increase comes in response to the big-time price hikes of basic commodities, petroleum products, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Bangsamoro people, adding that “it is part of government’s programs to meet the needs of our workers in all private sectors.”—AOL, GMA News