MINIMUM wage earners in the National Capital Region (NCR) started receiving a P60 daily wage increase on September 26, as Wage Order NCR-28 took full effect, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) said.
The increase raised the minimum wage for non-agricultural workers to P755 per day from P695, while workers in agriculture, small retail and service establishments, and small manufacturing establishments now receive P718 from P658.
Dole said about 1.1 million minimum wage earners in Metro Manila are covered by the wage adjustment.
The new rates cover workers in agriculture, as well as retail and service establishments employing 15 workers or less and manufacturing establishments regularly employing fewer than 10 workers.
Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino in announcing the wage increase said, ‘This shows the significance of the tripartite mechanism, where the government, employers’ groups, and employees’ groups come together to advance the dignity of Filipino workers.’
Tolentino said the mechanism also demonstrates that cooperation among the three sectors can help promote a sustainable economy in the NCR.
Wage Order NCR-28 was issued through the wage-setting process conducted by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-NCR and subsequently confirmed by the National Wages and Productivity Commission.
With the order now fully effective, employers are required to implement the new minimum wage rates and reflect the increases in their payroll and compensation systems.
Tolentino called on employers to strictly comply with the wage order, while Dole said it will continue to monitor its implementation and provide guidance to workers and employers.