Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada warned defiant employers that a P25,000 fine and imprisonment of one to two years await those who refuse to comply with the government-mandated P50 daily salary increase for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila starting July 18.
In a statement on Thursday, the lawmaker said he is also pushing for a measure that would impose stiffer penalties on employers who fail to comply with prescribed wage increases and adjustments.
“Our workers deserve not just a decent wage, but the assurance that it will be implemented and protected,” said Estrada, citing the penal provision in Wage Order No. NCR-26.
Under the said wage order, which was approved last June 24 by the NCR Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), the minimum wage will be P695 for the non-agricultural sector, and P658 for the agriculture sector, service and retail establishments employing 15 or fewer workers, and manufacturing establishments regularly employing less than 10 workers.
“Taon-taon naman halos ay may ipinatutupad ang ating mga RTWPB na pagtaas sa arawang sahod ng ating mga manggagawa. Pero hindi sapat na ianunsyo lang ang dagdag-sahod. Dapat may ngipin ang ating batas para matiyak na susundin ito ng lahat ng employer — malaki man o maliit ang kumpanya,” Estrada stressed.
