NegOcc business sector seeks new hearing on pay hike

BACOLOD City – The Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) based in Negros Occidental has sought a new hearing for the daily minimum wage increase as it continues to call for the deferment of the new rate which took effect on June 5.

MBCCI chief executive officer Frank Carbon said on Wednesday they have appealed to the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) to recall the latest order and hold another round of hearings to listen to the sentiments of the employers.

“Maybe they will hear the reason (for our appeal) and see its merits then they can amend the order and reduce the rate,” Carbon said in a radio interview.

He said the NWPC has directed the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-Western Visayas (RTWPB-6) to comment on the appeal of the MBCCI.

In May, the RTWPB-6 issued Wage Order No. 26, imposing a 13 percent to 35 percent minimum wage increase across all sectors.

Minimum wage for non-agricultural establishments employing more than 10 workers increased to PHP450 from the previous PHP390 while those employing 10 workers or less now have the rate of PHP420 from PHP310.

For those in the agricultural sector, the rate increased to PHP410 from the previous PHP315.

Data showed the PHP55 increase for employers with more than 10 workers and PHP110 for those with less than 10 are equivalent to 13 percent to 35 percent of the previous rate while the PHP95 hike in the agricultural sector is equivalent to 35 percent.

Carbon said the PHP110 and the PHP95 wage increases imposed on the micro-businesses and agricultural sector, respectively, are too much.

“If it’s just PHP25 and PHP35, probably we can afford it,” he added. (PNA)