Minimum wage increase in Cordillera possible

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board - Cordillera (RTWPB-CAR) of the Department of Labor and Employment announced a possibility of adjusting the regional minimum wage rate to help workers cope with the looming oil crisis.

The possible wage adjustment is in pursuant to the March 09, 2022 directive of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, ordering minimum wage review due to the skyrocketing prices of oil products caused by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Bello said this is likewise is response to the petitions they received, asking for an increase of minimum wage.

“Setting and adjusting the wage level is one of the most challenging part of minimum wage fixing. Minimum wage cannot be very low as it will have very small effect in protecting workers and their families against poverty. If set too high, it will have an adverse employment effect. There should be a balance between two sets of considerations,” stated the Labor Secretary.

Public consultations and hearings scheduled

The RTWPB – Cordillera scheduled consultation and public hearings to give an opportunity for the voice of the petitioners and other stakeholders to be heard. They are expected to explain their position and present evidence relative to minimum wage adjustment.

Interested workers in private establishments in Kalinga and Apayao may attend the public consultation that will be conducted on April 19, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN at Golden Berries Hotel, Tabuk City.

Those in Ifugao and Mountain Province are scheduled on April 20 at Anayah’s Riverside Hideaway, Samoki, Bontoc.

Another hearing is set for Abra stakeholders on April 26 at Lucky’s Hotel and Restaaurant, Bangued, Abra.

For those in Baguio and Benguet, the consultation will start at 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM on April 28 at Margarita Hall, Hotel Supreme, Magsaysay Avenue, Baguio City.

For domestic workers in the region, they may attend the hearing on April 28 from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM at the same venue.

Parties who intend to participate may coordinate with RTWPB – Cordillera and may submit position papers at RTWPB – Cordillera, 3rd Floor, DOLE Building, Cabinet Hill, Baguio City or thru email address rbcar-staff@produktiboatsahod.onmicrosoft.com from April 3 to April 28, 2022.

LISTEN TO STATION 1 RADIO: CLICK ME

OTHER NEWS

Tinglayan launches ‘Resbakuna Kids’ for children ages 5 to 11

Follow Guru Press Cordillera  on Facebook for more News and Information