AHEAD of the July 16 effectivity of the new minimum wage rate in Metro Manila, several labor groups that filed wage petitions before the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-National Capital Region (NCR) yesterday appealed the wage order granting a P40 pay hike.
In a statement, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) said the Alliance of Nationalist and Genuine Labor Organization, Labor Alliance for National Development, Gabay ng Unyon sa Telekomunikasyon at Serbisyo, Pinagkaisang Lakas ng Manggagawa ng Manila Bay, and their allied labor organizations appealed Wage Order No. NCR-24 last July 3.
“Citing inflation and the soaring prices of basic services and commodities, petitioners argued that the basis of minimum wage determination should be the family living wage, which should amount to P1,161, and not the poverty threshold,” said the NWPC.
Based on the Omnibus Rules on Minimum Wage Determination, the NWPC said it must resolve the appeal within 60 calendar days from its filing.
“The appeal is part of the minimum wage determination process and shall be acted upon promptly,” the NWPC assured.
Last month, the RTWPB-NCR issued a wage order providing an increase of P40 in the daily minimum wage in Metro Manila.
This means the NCR minimum wage rate will rise from P570 to P610 for the non-agriculture sector, and from P533 to P573 for the agriculture sector, service and retail establishments employing 15 or fewer workers and manufacturing establishments regularly employing fewer than 10 workers.
According to the NWPC, the appeal filed by the labor unions is not a reason to postpone its implementation.
“Employers in the NCR are expected to implement the new daily minimum wage on said date despite an appeal filed by a coalition of labor organizations,” said the NWPC.
