Infographic: The minimum wage under the Aquino administration

The pay hikes approved by President Benigno Aquino III yearly since he assumed office in 2010 has translated into a mere P62 or 15.34 percent increase in the minimum wage of workers in Metro Manila, GMA News Online’s computation of government data show.

 

While the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has hiked wages annually, the yearly increase only came in measly P20 increments. As a result, the minimum wage in the National Capital Region only rose by 4.87 percent on average each year.

 

Several labor groups have repeatedly called on the President to approve an across-the-board nationwide wage increase amounting to as much as P125, but this has been thumbed down by Aquino because it would reportedly hurt businesses.

 

Despite the absence of a new wage hike, Aquino said on Labor Day that his administration is working hard to address the country's employment problem. – Xianne Arcangel/VS, GMA News