Soccsksargen workers to get pay hike

MANILA, Philippines — Minimum wage earners and domestic workers or kasambahay in Soccsksargen will receive a salary increase starting next month following the issuance of a new wage order by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.

The RTWPB granted an increase of P30 in the daily wage of workers in the non-agriculture as well as retail and service sectors. Those in the agriculture sector will receive an increase of P33.

The adjustment will bring the minimum daily wage in the non-agriculture, retail and service sectors to P460 and P443 in the agriculture sector.

The increase will bring to P11,998 the monthly rate of workers in the non-agriculture, and retail and service sectors, and to P11,555 for those in agriculture.

Up to 21,000 minimum wage earners in Soccsksargen will benefit from the new wage order.

Those earning above the minimum wage are also expected to indirectly benefit from the adjustment due to wage distortion.

Domestic workers employed in cities and first class municipalities will receive an increase ranging from P1,000 to P1,500, bringing their minimum monthly pay to P6,000.

The wage order will take effect on Nov. 2, the RTWPB said.