The National Wages and Productivity Commission has approved the P33-P40 daily minimum wage increase order for private sector workers in Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental, issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board IV.
Negros Occidental that is now part of the Negros Island Region will still be covered by the WV wage hike. This is because a NIR RTPWB has yet to be created, Labor Regional Director Sixto Rodriquez Jr. said.
Wage Order No. RBVI-28 issued in October 22 brings the daily minimum wage rates in the region to a range of P485 – P513 in the non-agriculture sector and P480 in the agriculture sector.
RTWPB VI also approved a P1,000 monthly increase for kasambahays in the region bringing the monthly minimum wage to P6,000.
The two wage orders will be published on Nov. 1 and shall take effect on Nov. 17, the RTWPB 6 announced on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
RTWPB VI said it will undertake information campaigns to ensure compliance and provide assistance to enterprises in correcting possible wage distortions.
For exemption applications and further clarifications on the wage order, interested parties may send emails to rb6@produktiboatsahod.onmicrosoft.com, it said.
Frank Carbon, Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice president for governmental affairs, said the business sector would meet on Monday to discuss the course of action they will take.*