The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has approved a ₱40 wage hike for workers in Western Visayas, according to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Francis Tolentino.

During an interview on The Situation Report, Tolentino announced that workers from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo will be enjoying a ₱40 increase in their wages.

The wage hike also includes Bacolod City and the wider Negros Occidental province.

“Kabibigay lang po ng Regional Wage Board No. 6 ng minimum wage increase para sa ating manggagawa sa mga sumusunod na lalawigan: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo. So, sa mga nabanggit kong lugar, additional ₱40 po,” Tolentino said.

“‘Yan po ay, upon publication tomorrow (October 24), 15 days. So, Nobyembre na po siguro ‘yan. Kasama rin po dito, ang lungsod ng Iloilo at maging ang probinsya ng Negros Occidental at Bacolod,” he said.

This raises the minimum wage of ₱550 for non-agricultural workers to ₱590. From ₱520, agricultural workers will now earn ₱565 daily.

Watch the whole interview below.