CLOSE to 20 companies in Central Visayas have expressed their intention to be exempted from the implementation of the approved P31 per day wage increase that is set to take effect on June 14, 2022.Lawyer Evita Mendoza-Balane, acting board secretary of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Central Visayas, confirmed this Tuesday, June 7, after the National Wages and Productivity Commission approved the wage board’s recommendation to increase the minimum wage in the region.Balane said the companies have already asked for the requirements and where they can submit their application for exemption.Balane added that they also started conducting orientations to representatives of various companies concerning the wage hike order in the region.Companies are given up to 75 days to appeal to the RTWPB 7 for an exemption in the implementation of the wage hike.She said the wage hike is set to benefit 215,684 minimum wage earners from 66,179 establishments in Central Visayas.Around 107,931 househelp will also benefit from the P500 a month wage increase also earlier approved by the RTWPB.Concerned employees subject to the wage hike can file a complaint against their employers if they have sufficient evidence to show that their company has not complied with the wage hike order.