Minimum wage workers to receive COLA

All private sector minimum wage workers in Region XI will receive Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) starting December 1, 2014 per wage order RB-XI-18.

This will help the agricultural and non-agricultural workers cope with the increasing cost of basic commodities. The new minimum wage that took effect last June 1, 2014 will now increase by Five pesos (Php5.00)

The new minimum wage for the agricultural sector is Php312.00 and for the non-agricultural sector is Php302.00, with the addition of COLA the minimum wage will now be Php317.00 and Php307.00 respectively.

While in retail/service with more than 10 employees with the basic wage of Php312.00, will now be at Php317.00 and retail/service with not more than 10 employees with the basic wage of Php281.00 will now be at Php286.00.

According to Regional Director Joffrey Suyao of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region XI, they monitor the adherence of different establishments through compliance visits. This year they have visited almost 4,024 establishments and still ongoing all over Davao Region.

While COLA is part of the minimum wage it is not included in terms of overtime pay, night shift differential and 13th month pay. Although it will be part of the computation in the contributions to Social Security System (SSS), Phil Health and Pag-IBIG.

This wage order includes Davao City, Digos, Island Garden City of Samal, Tagum, Panabo, Mati and the Provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Compostella Valley.

By Shiela Mae P. Pore