Regions 2, 3, 12 private sector workers’ pay hiked by 16 Oct

Private sector workers in Region XII, Region II, and Region III can expect higher salaries by October 16 when the new regional daily minimum wage orders take effect.

Wage Order RB XII-23 mandates the new minimum salary rates in certain sectors/industries under Region XII.

Wage Order No. RTWPB 2-22 pertains to the new minimum wages in Region II (Cagayan Valley), while Wage Order No. RBIII-24 prescribes the new salary rates in Central Luzon.

Kasambahay pay raised

The Cagayan Valley and SOCCSKSARGEN regional wage boards also issued wage orders raising the pay of kasambahay (domestic workers) in these places.

All the orders were published on 29 September 2023 and will take effect on 16 October.

Wage Order No. RB XII-23 was issued by the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board on September 21 this year.

After full implementation of the tranches, the daily minimum wage rates in the region will be P403 for non-agriculture and P382 for both agriculture and service/retail sectors.

A P500 minimum wage hike for kasambahay was also granted, bringing domestic workers' monthly wage rates to P5,000 in cities and first-class municipalities and P4,500 in other municipalities in the region.

Two equal tranches

On the other hand, Wage Order No. RTWPB 2-22 for Region II or Cagayan Valley, issued by the RTWPB also on 21 September, provides for a P30 increase in the minimum wage to be given in two equal tranches — upon its effectivity (first tranche) and on 1 April 2024 (second tranche).

After full implementation, the minimum wage rates in the region will be P450 for non-agriculture and P430 for agriculture establishments.

At the same time, a monthly wage increase of P500 to domestic workers was granted, raising the minimum wage of the kasambahay in Region II to P5,500.

As for Wage Order No. RBIII-24, it was issued by the Central Luzon wage board on September 19 and grants a P40 pay increase for workers in non-agriculture, agriculture, and retail/service establishments.

New minimum wage range

This brings the new minimum wage range to between P493 and P500 (non-agriculture); P454 and P470 (agriculture), and P475 and P489 (retail/service sector) in the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales.

In Aurora province, the new minimum wage will be P449 (non-agriculture), P422 to P434 (agriculture), and P384 (retail/service sector).

The wage hikes in these regions follow the newly approved minimum wage rates in Region IV-A (Calabarzon) and Region VII (Central Visayas), which took effect on 24 September and 1 October, respectively.

Notably, retail/service establishments regularly employing not more than 10 workers and enterprises affected by natural calamities and/or human-induced disasters may apply for an exemption from the wage hike with their respective regional wage boards.

Barangay micro business enterprises are not covered by the minimum wage law pursuant to Republic Act 9178.