Tabuk City holds orientation on new wage order

By Larry T. Lopez

Tuesday 10th of July 2012

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, July 10 (PIA) -- The city government of Tabuk, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Cordillera Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) will hold an orientation tomorrow on the new wage order.

This is geared towards owners and operators of private establishments operating within the city.

The RTWPB issued Wage Order No. 15 that took effect last June 18, ordering a P8 daily wage rate increase in the region. The increase is contained in the package of benefits to labor announced by President Benigno S. Aquino in the last Labor Day celebration, as an answer to the call for additional benefits by the sector.

Mayor Ferdinand B. Tubban enjoined all owners and operators of private establishments and land holders here to attend the orientation for updates and for proper guidance to avoid possible conflicts with their workers.

Wage Order No. 15 has provided four different daily wage rates for workers in non-agricultural, agricultural and retail and service sectors with below 10 and above 10 workers.

Lourdes Canseco of DOLE Kalinga provincial office said the new daily wage rate for non-agricultural workers in Kalinga is P237 (basic wage) plus P26 cost of living allowance (COLA) or a total of P263/day.

For agricultural workers, it is set at P224 (basic wage) plus P22 (COLA) or P246/day; retail and service with above 10 workers at P237 (basic wage) plus P26 (COLA) or a total of P263/day; retail and service with below 10 workers at P217 (basic wage) plus P22 (COLA) or P239/day.

This rate is set to the other Cordillera provinces of Abra, Apayao, Ifugao and Mt. Province.

Other areas in the region such as Baguio City, Benguet and some municipalities have different wage rates. (JDP/LL-PIA CAR, Kalinga)