by Jocelyn P. Alvarez
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Feb. 11 (PIA 9) - Business establishment owners here are reminded to comply with new Wage Order No. RIX-17 which provide an increase of P12.00 per day to the minimum wage rate.
The “friendly” reminder came after the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC)
noted several complaints from employees from various establishments filed in the labor relations office.
“Yes , as far as our records are concern, we have several complaints of unjust payments or employers not complying with the new wage order, filed in our office,” Michael Yee of NLRC confirmed.
He said most of the complainants are employees of retail establishments in the city.
He said the new Wage order granting an additional P12.00 per day to the basic salary of a private employee took effect November 25, 2011.
Wage Order No. RIX-17 provides new minimum wage rates in Region 9 for all industries and categories.
The Categories/sectors covered in the new wage order are:
Basic wage | Daily Wage increase per Wage Order No. RIX-17 | New Minimum Wage rates | |
NON-AGRICULTURAL (includes private hospital, educational institutions, security agencies, janitorial and retail/service establishments employing more than 30 workers | P255 | P 12.00 | P 267.00 |
AGRICULTURAL (includes rubber-based plantation) | |||
Plantation Agricultural Enterprises | 230 | 12.00 | 242.00 |
Non-plantation | 210 | 12.00 | 222.00 |
RETAIL /SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS Employing not more than 30 | 235 | 12.00 | 247.00 |
COTTAGE/HANDICRAFT | 210 | 12.00 | 222.00 |
Yee clarified however that in the case of private educational institutions, the share of covered workers and employees in the increase in tuition fees for school year 2011-2012 will be considered as compliance with the applicable minimum wage rates prescribed in the Wage Order No. 17. “However, under this wage order, payment of any difference will be given starting school year 2012-2013,” he said.
The wage order further states that private education institutions which have not increased their tuition fees for school year 2011-2012 may defer compliance with the wage until school year 2012-2013.
Yee said non compliance with the new wage order is punishable by law
“Any person, corporation, trust or firm or partnership, association or entity which refuses to comply or fails to pay the prescribed minimum wage rates will face penal sanctions,” he said. (JPA/ PIA –ZBST)
