By Jim Lloyd Dongiapon
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The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) XI published in the newspaper SunStar Davao today, June 3, Wage Order No. RB XI-21, increasing the minimum wage in Davao Region in two and three tranches, effective June 18, 2022.
For the first tranche, all sectors would be given a ₱31 increase beginning June 18. Thus the new minimum wage rates in the region would be ₱427 for non-agriculture/industrial/commercial and retail/service employing more than 10 workers from the current ₱396; ₱412 for retail/service employing not more than 10 workers from ₱381; and, ₱422 for the agriculture sector from ₱391.
By January 1, 2023, the second tranche would be implemented, giving another ₱16 increase to all sectors. The new minimum wage rates would be ₱443 for non-agriculture/industrial/commercial and retail/service employing more than 10 workers; ₱428 for retail/service employing not more than 10 workers; and, ₱438 for the agriculture sector.
The last tranche, which would take effect on April 1, 2023, an additional increase of ₱15 would be granted for retail/service employing not more than 10 workers, making their minimum wage rate at ₱443 after the full implementation of the wage order.
It could be recalled that in March this year, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) filed a ₱418 wage increase petition before the RTWPB XI, which would set the daily wage at ₱814 as part of their nationwide wage hike campaign amid the skyrocketing of oil prices worldwide.
TUCP stated that the existing wage rates in the country cannot cope up with price shocks and avert hunger.