P32-P40 daily wage hike for Western Visayas workers by mid-Nov.

Private sector workers in Western Visayas will receive a P32 to P40 daily wage increase by mid-November, according to the Department of Labor.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-Region 6 approved Wage Order No. RBVI-28 on October 22, raising non-agriculture minimum wages to between P485 and P513 per day and agriculture wages to P480.

For businesses with more than 10 workers, the non-agriculture minimum wage will rise by P33 to P513 daily, while those with fewer employees see a P35 increase to P485. Agricultural workers will receive a P40 increase to P480.

Kasambahays in the region will also benefit from a monthly wage hike of P1,000, bringing their minimum wage to P6,000 per month.

The new rates, effective November 17 after publication on November 1, are expected to directly impact around 193,032 minimum wage earners and indirectly affect approximately 300,252 full-time workers earning above the minimum wage.

DOLE noted that this represents a 7%-9% increase from the prevailing daily minimum wage rates in the region, resulting in an 11% increase in wage-related benefits such as 13th-month pay and social security benefits.