Zamboanga workers to receive pay hike

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Minimum wage earners in Zamboanga peninsula will receive a higher take-home pay starting next month after the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) issued a new wage order.

The RTWPB approved an increase of P33 in the daily pay of workers in the private sector, which will take effect on Dec. 12.

The pay hike will be given to workers in both agriculture and non-agriculture establishments, according to Albert Gutib, chief of the labor department in Zamboanga peninsula.

The increase will bring the minimum wage for workers in the agriculture and non-agriculture establishments to P401 and P414, respectively, including those in retail and service companies employing 10 workers or more.

Gutib said the wage hike was a result of a study conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry and  Department of Energy.

Gutib said the board considered the difficulty being faced by workers to keep up with the rising cost of living, and the pressure on businesses to remain stable and growing.

“This wage adjustment aims to maintain a balance in giving workers a much needed relief while ensuring that businesses can continue to thrive,” he said.

Joel Idjirani, regional wage board secretary, said the board acted on its own as there has been no petition filed since the last wage increase.