RTWPBs to start minimum wage hike review — DOLE

Several regional wage boards will soon begin reviewing the minimum wage rates, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said Wednesday. 

During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum, Laguesma said this was in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s earlier directive for the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) to initiate the reviews within 60 days before the anniversary of their latest wage order.

The RTWB-National Capital Region (NCR) is set to begin its review next week. 

“Maraming regions at least after NCR, ten regions will be doing reviews, probably from July to August,” Laguesma told reporters. 

(At least ten regions will conduct reviews after the NCR from July to August.)

“You expect some developments, and part of the review will be public consultations, and public hearings. Afterward, there will be a meeting of the RTWPB where they will consider the inputs, opinions, and positions of those who participated during the public consultation and hearing,” he said. 

Laguesma said the RTWPBs will come out with their respective wage orders based on the results of the discussions in their regions. 

Meanwhile, the DOLE chief said the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) convened on Monday, where they came out with a resolution directing all RTWPBs to submit indicative calendars 30 days before the start of their processes and to comply with the 60-day review timeline set by the President. 

The daily minimum wage stands in NCR at P610 — the highest in the country — up from P460 in April 2023.

Economic think tank IBON Foundation recently said that minimum wages across the 17 regions of the country are not enough to meet a typical family of five’s needs to cover food and non-food costs. — VBL, GMA Integrated News