Wage board approves P21 increase for minimum wage earners in NCR

ALU Spokesman Alan Tanjusay said the PHP21 pay increase remains inadequate to meet the needs of minimum-wage earners to escape poverty. (Photo: Alan Tansujay/Facebook)

MANILA — Private sector workers in the National Capital Region (NCR) who are receiving minimum wage will soon be getting an additional PHP21.00 in their salaries.

Based on Wage Order No. NCR-21 issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) – NCR, the salaries of these workers in Metro Manila will increase from PHP491 to PHP512.

Included in the increased minimum wage for the non-agricultural sector are the PHP502 basic wage and the PHP10 cost of living allowance (COLA).

For workers in the agricultural sector, they will be receiving PHP475, composed of the PHP465 basic wage and the PPH10 COLA.

“The wage rates shall apply to all minimum wage earners in the private sector in the region regardless of their position, designation, or status of employment and irrespective of the method of which they are paid,” the NCR wage board said.

On the other hand, those who are not covered by the wage order are domestic workers, persons in the personal service of another, and workers Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs).

The Order was issued after three wage petitions were filed at the RTWPB-NCR which include the Association of Minimum Wage Earners and Advocates (PHP175); the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (PHP259); and the Associated Labor Unions (PHP184).

The Wage Order NCR-21 will take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

It was in June 2016 when the last wage order in the region was approved, wherein the wage board approved the integration of the PHP15.00 COLA to the basic wage and the granting of the PHP10 COLA per day.

Meanwhile, the ALU expressed objection on the wage adjustment for Metro Manila workers.

ALU Spokesman Alan Tanjusay said the PHP21 pay increase remains inadequate to meet the needs of minimum-wage earners to escape poverty.

“The PHP21 increase in daily wage remains insufficient for families to cope with rising prices of goods and increasing costs of goods. The PHP21.00 is only 4.27 percent of the current PHP491. So it obviously did not lift workers out of poverty. Workers do not deserve this very small amount,” he explained.