Wage board approves pay hike for employees, household workers in Northern Mindanao

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 22) – The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Northern Mindanao has approved a daily pay hike of ₱33 in two tranches, which will take full effect by July 2024, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Friday.  

The first tranche of ₱23 will take effect on Jan. 11, 2024 while the second tranche of ₱10 will be added on July 1, 2024.

When fully implemented, the daily pay of non-agricultural sector workers in areas under Wage Category 1 will go up from ₱405 to ₱438, while wages in areas under Wage Category 2 will rise from ₱390 to ₱423.

For agricultural workers in areas under Wage Category 1, the pay will increase from ₱393 to ₱426, while those in areas under Wage Category 2 will go up from ₱378 to ₱411.

Areas under Wage Category 1 include the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Malaybalay, Valencia, Gingoog, El Salvador, and Ozamiz; and the municipalities of Opol, Maramag, Quezon, Manolo Fortich, Lugait, Tagoloan, Villanueva, and Jasaan.

Wage Category 2 covers the cities of Oroquieta, Tangub; the Municipalities of Laguindingan, Mambajao, and Balingasan; all remaining areas not covered; and Retail and Service Establishments employing not more than ten (10) workers.

The pay hike is expected to benefit 144,133 minimum wage earners and 267,305 salary workers in the private sector through upward adjustments. It also represents a 23% increase in wage-related and social security benefits.

Meanwhile, household workers will also see a wage hike of ₱500 in chartered cities and first-class municipalities. Those in other municipalities will see a pay increase of ₱1,500, bringing their respective wages of ₱4,500 and ₱3,500 to a flat ₱5,000.

The pay hike for domestic workers will also take effect on Jan. 11, 2024 and is projected to benefit 54,851 members of the sector, 20% or 11,059 of whom are under a live-in arrangement.

Before the Northern Mindanao hike, minimum wage was last increased for all workers in the Caraga region, and for domestic workers in the National Capital Region.

READ: Wage boards raise minimum pay for Caraga employees, NCR domestic workers