GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 03 May) — The newly-approved P16 to P18 wage increase for private workers in Region 12 or Soccsksargen will take effect starting May 11.
A pineapple worker in Polomolok, South Cotabato. MindaNews file photo by BOBBY TIMONERA
Sisinio Cano, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Region 12 director, said the new daily wage rates in the region set under Wage Order No. RB XII-20 is deemed effective after its 15-day publication period.
He said they first published the wage order on April 26, two days after getting final approval from the National Wages and Productivity Commission.
“We expect our employers to fully comply with the new wage order and give our workers their due wages,” he said.
Under Wage Order No. RB XII-20, workers in the non-agriculture sector will receive an increase of P16 in their daily pay while those in agriculture, retail and service establishments will get an additional P18.
It set the new minimum daily wage rate for non-agriculture workers to P311 and those working in agriculture, retail and service establishments to P290.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board approved the wage adjustment last April 13 “motu proprio” or by its own initiative after a review of the region’s socio-economic condition.
Cano said they will launch a series of monitoring and inspections among local establishments and companies in the entire region to ensure proper compliance to the wage order.
He acknowledged that there are still employers who have not fully implemented the previous wage rates.
The official was referring to Wage Order No. RBXII-19 that took effect in October 2016 and set the minimum daily wage rate for non-agriculture workers to P295 and for those in agriculture, retail and service establishments to P272.
He said they conducted several rounds of inspections in the last two years and issued compliance orders to some employers.
“We’re working on attaining 100 compliance that’s why we’re doing the inspections,” he said in a press conference.
For employers who would be found violating the wage order and other labor regulations, he said they will initially advise them to make the necessary corrections.
Should they fail to comply or make adjustments, he said they will be issued with formal compliance orders.
Cano said employers affected by calamities may seek exemptions for the implementation of the wage order for up to one year, subjected to the approval of the RTWPB.
But he said the board, which he chairs, has not received any request for exemption even from the previous wage order. (MindaNews)
