CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – No minimum wage hike is being contemplated for workers in Central Luzon amid reports that prices of basic commodities have remained stable in the region.
Elizabeth Teves, head of the secretariat of Central Luzon’s Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), told Punto that inflation rate in the region has not even tipped three percent since the last wage increase was granted in June last year.
“There is also no petition from the labor sector in Central Luzon for any minimum wage hike, so we see no supervening factors required for any minimum pay increase,” she said.
In June last year, the RTWPB announced a wage increase after noting inflation increase from 2.67 to 4.4 percent in two months in the region. The increase integrated the P14 cost of living allowance (COLA) into the basic pay of wage earners.
“Even the price of fuel has really been fluctuating, so this has not been a major factor to consider,” Teves said.
She said that the RTWPB has been strictly monitoring the prices of basic good in the region as this would be a significant factor in considering any wage increase.
“If inflation rate doubles in digit, then that’s a serious thing to consider even without any petition from the labor sector. But so far, inflation has not even reached three percent so there is no reason for concern,” Teves stressed.
Central Luzon’s minimum wage earners, except those in Aurora province, get P330 per day in non-agricultural firms with assets of more than P30 million. Non-agricultural workers in smaller firms get P322.50.
Agricultural workers in plantations receive P300 daily and non-plantation workers, P284. Those employed in hospitals with more than 20-bed capacity are entitled to P321, and those in smaller hospitals, P306.
Workers in retail establishments with 16 or more workers get to P319, and those in retail businesses with less than 16 personnel, P305. Handicraft and cottage industry workers are paid P284.
In Aurora, non-agricultural workers get P279 daily pay, and agricultural workers, P244. Those in retail and service establishments are paid P201.
