Cordillera wage board OKs pay hike

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - In less than a year, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) approved another round of wage increase. The decision was issued despite earlier pronouncement from Labor and Employment Director Ana Dione, for both employers and employees to consider non-wage benefits in lieu of a wage increase. Issued last May 27, the RTWPB-Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) granted a P15 increase to the cost of living allowance (Cola) for employees within Baguio City, La Trinidad, Tuba, Itogon and Sablan (Blist) and P10 for provinces outside of Blist for the non-agriculture sectors. This brings the minimum wage from P235 per day to P260 per day for those in the non-agricultural sectors in Blist and from P229 to P243 in other areas in the region. On December last year, the RTWPB granted a P10 increase to the Cola to those in the Blist and P4 for other provinces in the region. The increase took effect last January. Another round of increase was issued by the RTWPB this month, following the series of increases on the price of fuel and other basic commodities. For those in the agriculture sector within the Blist, Cola was set at P20 and P10, respectively. Minimum wage is pegged at P242 and P226. For those in the retail service employing 10 workers or more within the Blist, the basic wage of P235 will also increase to P260 per day. For other provinces in CAR, minimum wage in this sector was set at P243 per day. For those in the retail service with less than 10 employees in the Blist, the minimum wage of P215 per day increased to P240 per day and for those outside of Blist at P219 per day. The RTWPB held a series of hearings prior to its issuance of the wage order. The hearings were first held in Kalinga, Apayao, Mountain Province, Ifugao and culminated here in Baguio, last May 23. The wage increase takes effect on June 16, after its publication in a newspaper of local circulation. - Sun.Star