THE Department of Labor and Employment-National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR) yesterday urged minimum wage earners to promptly report employers not complying with the new minimum wage rate in Metro Manila.
In a phone interview, DOLE-NCR Director Sarah Mirasol said Metro Manila workers need to report businesses that do not adhere to the new minimum wage rate set under Wage Order No. NCR-24.
“Let the DOLE-NCR know if employers do not comply with the new wage order,” Mirasol said adding it is imperative for all private establishments to comply with the new wage order.
“May I remind our employers to comply with the new Wage Order No NCR-24, which is effective July 16,” said Mirasol.
Failure to do so, she said, may result in double indemnity or payment of an amount equivalent to double the unpaid wage, and/or criminal liability.
Under the Wage Rationalization Act, any person or corporation which refuses or fails to pay any of the prescribed increases or adjustments in the wage rates shall be punished by a fine not exceeding P25,000 and/or imprisonment of one to two years.
Mirasol issued the reminder a day after the new minimum wage rate in the NCR took effect.
The daily minimum wage in NCR has gone up from P570 to P610 for the non-agriculture sector.
The NCR minimum wage rate has climbed 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.
CONGRESS PRESSED
Armed with the pronouncements of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) yesterday urged Congress to fast-track the passage of the proposed P150 legislated wage hike for all workers.
In a statement, FFW President Sonny Matula said there is still a need for lawmakers to augment the current salaries of Filipinos via the legislated pay hike.
“FFW urges Congress to fast-track the P150 daily wage hike across the nation,” said Matula. “We are confident that the Senate will heed the voice of the Filipino people and fulfill its mandate of advancing their welfare.”
Zubiri has filed Senate Bill (SB) 2002 seeking to raise wages in the private sector in all regions by P150.
Over the weekend, Zubiri said he will still push for a P150 legislated daily wage increase in all regions despite the P40 pay hike in Metro Manila.
According to Matula, they welcome the firmness of Zubiri’s proposal to hike the wages of all workers.
“We commend Senate President Zubiri for his unwavering commitment to his proposal for a P150 wage hike nationwide,” said Matula.
