The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board has initiated consultations with the employer’s sector in preparation for wage adjustment in 2024.
In accordance with Wage Rationalization Act, Department of Labor and Employment-Cordillera Director and RTWPB Chair Nathaniel Lacambra said wage adjustments may only be done once a year, except when there is a supervening event that will necessitate an adjustment within the year of issuance of a new wage order.
The National Wages and Productivity Commission has issued a P40 hike in the National Capital Region following the series of oil price hikes but this has yet to take effect after employer’s sector asked the NWPC to reconsider, citing the Wage Act, which prescribes the frequency of wage adjustments.
For the Cordillera, the RTWPB convened last week to motu propio review the current wage structure in the region.
The last wage adjustment in the region was in June 2022 in two tranches, which raised the minimum wage to P400 daily for the agriculture and non-agriculture sector.
The RTWPB set consultations with the employers and labor sector in the six provinces and Baguio beginning Sept. 4 until October. After 45 days, the RTWPB will issue a new wage order.
The Wage Rationalization Act mandates the holding of public consultation prior to the issuance of a wage order.
Factors consi-dered in adjusting wages are increase of the cost of living, living wage demand, consumer price index, needs of workers and families, and effects on family income and employment generation. – Rimaliza A. Opiña
