Reg'l board defers P10-wage hike in Western Visyas

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) regional wage board has agreed to defer the implementation of the P10 wage increase to rank and file workers of business establishments struck by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in Western Visayas.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Western Visayas issued Resolution No. 05, series of 2013, deferring the implementation of the new Wage Order No. RBVI-21.

The order covers the areas in Western Visayas devastated by the super typhoon. The establishments exempted from the wage order should be certified by the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) and the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (LDRRMC).

Ponciano Ligutom, chairman of the regional wage board, said that establishments not certified by the OCD and LDRRMC will have to implement the wage order that took effect last November 29.

The wage order exemption was released by the wage board upon the request of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Inc. through a letter dated December 10.

The business group asked the board to defer wage orders for Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas citing the destruction wrought by the super typhoon on businesses in the three regions.

Ligutom said the wage order would be deferred for a period of six months, and thereafter the board will hold consultations.