By Nino Luces
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol announced on Friday morning that minimum wage workers, along with household helpers, or ‘kasambahays’, in Bicol will get wage increases this year.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
DOLE Bicol regional director Joel Gonzales said that P25 will be added to the minimum daily wage rate, while the monthly salary of “kasambahay” will get a P1,000-increase.
"The P25-increase in the minimum wage rate in the region was unanimously agreed and set by the the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB 5) on March 4, 2020. The Board had this decision right after the sixth and final leg of the Provincial Public Hearing-Consultation for the province of Albay," Gonzales said.
However, the increase specified under minimum wage order No. RBV-20 will be implemented in two tranches in which an automatic adjustment of P10 will take effect after 15-days publication in a regional newspaper while the remaining P15 will be added in July 1
"The Wage Board reiterated that whether the business or establishment only has one worker or hundred workers, it must follow the new minimum wage rate from the very first day of employment of the worker. No one is exempted. Infact, our labor inspectors, are already gearing up to ensure compliance to the new wage order," he said.
Presently, the minimum wage in Bicol is P310, and once it is fully implemented, workers in Bicol will get P335-a-day.
The "Kasambahays" will now get P4,000 from the erstwhile minimum rate of P3,000.