TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Feb 23(PIA) –The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in the region is set to make a decision whether to issue a new wage order this week.
This, after deliberating the results of the public consultations and hearings conducted regarding on the wage issue in Eastern Visayas.
DOLE regional director Elias A. Cayanong said the purpose of the public hearing is to gather inputs and positions from labor and management and other stakeholders that will help the board set its decision on the wage issue.
“I believe the Board has gathered sufficient relevant data from the results of all public consultations to finally make the decision,” Cayanong said.
In determining whether or not a new wage order will be issued, the regional wage board which is composed of the representatives from labor, employer and government sectors will take into consideration the needs of the employees and their families, the employer’s capacity to pay, the effect of the wage increase to the inclusive economic and social development of the country.
Although the wage board did not receive any petition for wage increase, consultations and hearings were conducted even before and after super typhoon Yolanda hit the region at the latter part of 2013 due to the increase of prices of oil, fuel products and other basic commodities.
The final public hearing was conducted last February 17, 2015 at the SMED Center, this city.
To date, the daily minimum wage in Eastern Visayas is pegged at P260 for non-agriculture; P238 for cottage and handicraft; P229 for retail service employing 10 workers and below; P241 for agriculture (non-sugar); and P262 (mills) for the sugar industry; P235 (plantation) and P220.50 (non-plantation).
The last wage increase in the region was implemented last October 12, 2012.(jrc/cba/DOLE-8/PIA-8)
