New Wage Order for Zamboanga Private Sector

The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) has unanimously affirmed Wage Order No. RBIX-23, issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) IX. This new order increases the daily minimum wage for private sector workers in the Zamboanga Peninsula by 33 pesos, effective December 12, 2024. The wage hike will raise the minimum wage from ₱381 to ₱414 for non-agricultural establishments employing 10 or more workers, and from ₱368 to ₱401 for agricultural and smaller service/retail establishments.

New Wage Categories and Rates:

The NWPC's decision is based on criteria outlined in Republic Act No. 6727, which considers the needs of workers and their families, the capacity of employers to pay, and the region's economic and social development requirements. This wage order is expected to benefit 95,990 minimum wage earners in the region, with 129,607 full-time wage and salary workers potentially seeing indirect benefits from upward adjustments at the enterprise level.

To ensure compliance and address potential wage distortions, the NWPC has instructed RTWPB IX to undertake information campaigns and assist enterprises in implementing productivity improvement programs. Additionally, exemptions from the wage increase may be granted to enterprises affected by natural or human-induced disasters, as well as registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs).

As of now, ten wage orders have been issued for private sector workers in various regions, with four more issued for workers in Regions I, II, VI, and VIII. The remaining regions are in the final stages of their wage determination processes, with RTWPBs CAR and IV-B expected to complete theirs by November 2024. RTWPB-V has deferred its wage determination process due to the impact of Super Typhoon Kristine.

Reference: NWPC affirms new wage order for Zamboanga private sector, ordered implementation of productivity incentives to support wage growth