CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – Several business owners in Cebu have complied with the implementation of the new minimum wage rate, which raises the daily wage to P305, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) revealed.

CCCI President Samuel Chioson said he has not received any complaints from employers on the implementation of the P20 daily wage increase, adding that most business establishments can afford the increase.

Except for those who belong to the export industry, which was given a grace period until 2012 to implement the increase, Chioson said other business owners must follow the wage order.

He said owners of small business shops, like internet cafes and convenient store, and those with a work force of less than 10 employees can file exemption from the wage increase at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 7 office here.

Last week, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) and DOLE offices in Region 7 reminded employers to implement the P20-increase in daily minimum wage, bringing the minimum wage in Cebu to P305, or face sanctions.

DOLE 7 Director Exequiel Sarcauga said his office will closely monitor business firms in the compliance of the new wage order raising daily wages by P20. He said DOLE will be inspecting establishments in the entire region.

“The law dictates that all business establishments in Central Visayas should implement Wage Order 16. There are no exemptions Other than those running household and personal services, there are no exemptions,” Sarcauga said.

Companies not yet implementing the wage order will be given two payroll periods to comply. The labor department will issue a “5-day finding” to those companies not complying.

Sarcauga said if these firms fail to implement said wage order after five days, they would be investigated. If lapses are found, a writ of compliance will be issued against these erring firms.

He also encouraged workers to report to DOLE employers not giving them the additional P20.

In Bohol, some business owners have already started implementing the P20 daily wage increase, which brings the daily minimum wage in the province to P275, said DOLE Provincial Officer German Guidaben.

The RTWPB 7 has approved a uniform P20-increase in the daily minimum wage of workers in Central Visayas, but labor groups claimed the increase is way lower than their proposed P100 wage hike.