ZAMBOANGA CITY - Workers in the Zamboanga Peninsula are to expect additional increase in the minimum wage brought about by Wage Order No. RIX-20 as announced by the Department of Labor and Employment 9.

The wage adjustment takes effect on July 31, 2018, fifteen days after the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board 9 published the Order on July 15, 2018 in two newspapers of local circulation in the region.

DOLE Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo, who chairs the RTWPB-9 or commonly known as the Wage Board, said that workers will be receiving an additional P20.00 per day.

"The Board has gone through a series of sectoral consultations to arrive at this decision to adjust wages. I believe that the increase in the minimum wage will enable the workers to cope up with the rising cost of living." RD Domingo said.

Under the previous Wage Order RIX-19, workers under the non-agricultural category to include private hospitals, educational institutions, security and janitorial agencies, retail/service establishments employing more than 30 workers who are paid P296.00/day will be receiving a daily wage of P316.00 under the new wage order.

Meanwhile, for those in the agricultural, retail and service establishments including rubber-based plantations and non-plantations; micro-enterprises; and, retail/service establishments employing not more than 30 workers, minimum wage will increase from P283.00 to P303.00.

RD Domingo noted that the 20-Pesoincrease is based on a thorough assessment of the socio-economic conditions in the region, particularly the Consumer Price Index, Erosion of the Purchasing Power of the Peso, and Poverty Threshold Level.

She further added that the Board has determined the need to adjust the prevailing wage rates without hampering the sustainability of business and industry, consistent with the government's policy of achieving higher levels of productivity, promote economic growth, generate employment and to augment the income of workers.

The DOLE Chairs the Wage Board, while the National Economic Development Authority and Department of Trade and Industry act as the Vice-Chairpersons, with the labor and management sector representatives as regular members.

The wage rates prescribed in the new wage order shall apply to workers receiving the minimum wage in the region regardless of their position, employment status, and regardless as to how their wages are paid.

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