MANILA, July 2 ------ The Regional Wages Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in the National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) approved last June 27 a P35 increase in the daily minimum wage of workers in the private sector after consultations with labor and management and a public hearing. This means that starting July 17, the new daily minimum wage for non-agriculture workers in the private sector will be P645 and P608 for those working in agriculture, service, or retail establishments with 15 workers or less and in manufacturing regularly employing less than 10 workers.
The effectivity date is the same date as RTWPB-NCR’s 2023 wage order, which means it has been exactly one year since the last wage increase. According to Wage Order No. NCR-25, the board heard three petitions on wage increases:
—The P597 proposal from the Unity for Wage Increase Now (UWIN)
—The P750 from healthcare workers including the St. Lukes Medical Center Employees' Association (SLMCEA), The Medical City Employees' Association (TMCEA), St. Luke's Medical Center Global City Employees' Union Independent (SLMC(GC)EUI), and the Manila Doctors Hospital Employees' Association (MDHEA)
—And a petition for a P750 daily minimum wage from the Pasig Labor Alliance for Democracy and Development (PALAD)
Evaluation of existing socio-economic conditions in the region found that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) — the change in average retail prices of goods — in the NCR increased to 121.8 in May 2024 from 118.1 in May 2023. This means the average inflation rate during the monitoring period was at 4.42% — higher than the government’s targeted range of 2 to 4% for 2024. The order also stated that the poverty threshold — the minimum income for a family to meet its basic needs — is currently at P452, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Penalties for non-compliance with the wage increase include a fine of P25,000 to P100,000, imprisonment of 2 to 4 years, or both according to Section 12 of Republic Act No. 8188.
The employer will also be “ordered to pay an amount equivalent to double the unpaid benefits owing to the employees: provided, that payment of indemnity shall not absolve the employer from the criminal liability imposable under this Act.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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