The Commissioner of the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) has revealed that there will be no wage increase for Region 9 workers this May 1.
Jose J. Suan, Commissioner, National Wages and Productivity Commission said the workers have no plans of asking for any additional wage increase up to the end of this year.
He explained, due to the pandemic both employers and employees were greatly affected.
“The issue is preservation of jobs it’s better to have a job with the present minimum wage than increasing the minimum wage and lessen the number of employees,” Suan stressed.
The current wage order being followed for Region 9 is Wage order 20, this became effective, July 30, 2018. The wage order states that for non agricultural employing more than 30 workers the minimum wage is ₱ 316 while for agricultural employing not more than 30 workers the wage is ₱ 303.
There are 2.5 million workers all over region 9.
Meanwhile, Atty. Roy L. Buenafe, DOLE 9 Regional Director said, in the wage board they also did not tackle about the matter.
And he said, there is no petition for increase coming from the workers. (R.G. Antonet A. Go)