GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 15 March) – The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) of Region 12 is set to conduct a public hearing and consultation for possible adjustments to the region’s minimum wage rates.
Sisinio Cano, RTWPB-12 chairperson, said Thursday the move is part of the board’s ongoing review of the area’s socio-economic situation and its impact on the prevailing minimum wages.
The public hearing and consultation is set on March 20, Tuesday, at the Phela Grande Hotel and Convention Center here.
“This is to determine whether a new wage order should be issued considering the prevailing socio-economic condition of the region,” said Cano, who is also the Department of Labor and Employment-Region 12 director.
As of Thursday, the official said the agency has not yet received any petition for wage adjustments so they are conducting the review “motu proprio” or by its own initiative.
He explained that under the amended rules of procedure on minimum wage fixing, the RTWPBs may initiate the minimum wage review process “motu proprio” or by virtue of a petition filed.
Cano said they also considered the period of effectivity of the region’s last wage order, which took effect on Oct. 9, 2016.
Under Wage Order No. RBXII-19, the minimum daily wage rate for non-agriculture workers in the region was set at P295 while those in agriculture, retail and service establishments receive P272.
Local private workers mainly received P15 to P20 increases in their daily wages with the integration of the cost of living allowance into the previous rates.
For the public hearing and consultation, Cano said they have invited officials and representatives from workers’ and employers’ sectors as well as concerned government agencies.
He said other interested parties may also attend the activity and submit position papers regarding the minimum wage issue to the RTWPB-12. (MindaNews)