By Claro A. Lanipa
PAGADIAN CITY – The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-IX) has approved the new minimum wage rates on May 6, 2013 which shall take effect on June 10, 2013.
Under Republic Act No. 6727, otherwise known as the Wage Rationalization Act of 1989, which empowers the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards to determine and fix minimum wage rates applicable in the regions and to issue corresponding wage orders subject to existing guidelines issued by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).
After conducting an evaluation of the region’s socio-economic and labor market indicators, particularly the region’s poverty incidence, the erosion of the purchasing power of the peso, as well as the problematic power situation prevailing in the region, the Board deemed it just and equitable to adjust and increase the current minimum wage rates.
The regional board issued Wage Order No. 18 prescribing the new minimum wage rate increase of P13.00 per day for all industries and categories in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula as follows; for non-agricultural which includes private hospitals, educational institutions, security agencies, janitorial and retail/service establishments employing more than 30 workers will now receive P280 from the old rate of P267 per day.
For the agricultural sector (includes rubber-based plantation) P255 and P235 for plantation agricultural enterprise and non-plantation agricultural enterprise respectively. Retail/Service establishments employing not more than 30 workers receiving P247/day will now get P260 a day. While for workers in the cottage/handicraft industry will now receive P235 per day from the previous rate of P222 per day.
Wage Order No. RIX-18 applies to all the minimum wage earners in the private sector in the region, regardless of their position, designation or status and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid.
However, this wage order does not cover household or domestic helpers, persons in the personal service of another, including family drivers and workers in registered barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) with certificates of Authority pursuant to RA 9178.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Production Board is composed of DOLE 9 Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano as chairman, NEDA 9 Director Teresita Socorro Ramos and DTI-9 Director Nazrullah Manzur as Vice Chairmen; Edgar Lim and Roberto Valerio, members Employers’ representatives; and Jose Suan and Rey Anthony Trio, members, Labor sector. (PIA9)