■ Rimaliza A. Opiña
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has issued on Nov 6. a new wage order granting a P30-hike in the minimum wage workers in the Cordillera.
This means the new minimum daily wage in the region is now P430.
The new wage will take effect on Dec. 5 or 15 days after its publication, reckoning from Nov. 19.
The adjusted wage will apply to all minimum wage earners in the private sector regardless of their position, designation or status, and regardless of the method by which their wages are paid.
The RTWPB-Cordillera also increased the wages of household workers by P400. This means the minimum wage of household workers in the Cordillera is now P4,900.
The last wage order issued in the region was in June 2022 which was implemented in two tranches.
Meanwhile, Labor and Employment Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma has signed on Nov. 8 Labor Advisory 25 or the guidelines on the payment of 13th month pay.
The advisory states the 13th month pay shall be paid to rank and file employees in the private sector regardless of their position, designation, or employment status, and regardless of the method by which their wages are paid, provided that they have worked at least one month during the calendar year.
It shall also be given to rank and file employees who are paid on a piece-rate basis fixed or guaranteed wage plus commission, those with multiple employers, those who resigned, were terminated from employment, or were on maternity leave.
The 13th month pay shall not be less than 1/12 of the total basic salary earned by an employee within a calendar year.
Further, the 13th month pay is without prejudice to additional benefits granted under existing company practice or policy, employment contract, or collective bargaining agreement. The 13th month pay shall be paid on or before Dec. 24, the advisory stated.