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Appendix X

the payment of sub-minimum wage rates, but in no case lower than fifty per cent (50%) of the applicable minimum, by enterprises that may be established in such areas to provide employment opportunities to the residents therein, subject to such terms and conditions as he may pre scribe to ensure the protection and welfare of the workers.

Chapter V

Article 120 (Wage Studies

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The Wage Commission in the Department of Labour shall conduct a continuing study of wage rates in the various agricultural and non- agricultural industries all over the country. The results of such study shall be periodically disseminated to the government, labour and management sectors for their information and guidance.

If after such study, the Commission is of the opinion that a substantial number of employees in a given industry are receiving wages which, although complying with the minimum provided by law, are less than sufficient to maintain them in health, efficiency and general well-being, taking into account, among others, the peculiar circumstances of the industry and its geographical location, the Commission shall, with the approval of the Secretary of Labour, proceed to determine whether a wage recommendation shall be issued.

Article 121 (Wage recommendations)

The Commission shall have sixty (60) days within which to conduct hearings and recommend to the Secretary of Labour the issuance of a wage order establishing the minimum wage or wages to be paid by employers in the industry or the various branches there of.

Article 122 (Wage order)

Upon submission of the Commission recommendation, the Secretary of Labour shall give notice to interested parties and conduct a public- hearing thereon within fifteen (15) days. On the basis of the Commission recommendation and of the results of the public hearing, the Secretary of Labour shall, within fifteen (15) days offer the termination of the hearing, approve or reject but shall not modify the minimum wages recommended by the Commission. If he rejects the recommendation, he shall issue a statement of his reasons therefor and shall direct the Commission to consider the same immediately. If he approves the recommendation of the Commission, original or modified, he shall immediately issue a wage order, subject to the approval of the President of the Philippines, prescribing the minimum wage to be paid to the employees in the industry.

Article 123 (Criteria for minimum wage fixing)

A minimum wage to be established by the Wage Commission shall be as nearly adequate as is economically feasible to maintain the minimum standards of living necessary for the health, efficiency and general well-being of the employees within the framework of the national economic and Social development programme. In the determination of a minimum wage, the Commission shall consider, among other relevant factors, the following: ;

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