Minimum wage rates review starts this May —DOLE

The review of the minimum wage rates in some regions is set to start this month, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday, Labor Day.

DOLE's Bureau of Local Employment head Assistant Secretary Patrick P. Patriwirawan Jr. said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. ordered the review of minimum wage rates.

“Mula po sa direktiba ng ating Pangulo, magsisimula po ang pagre-review ng mga minimum wage rates ngayon pong Mayo para sa ilang mga rehiyon,” Patriwirawan told Unang Balita in an interview.

(Following the directive of our President, the review of minimum wage rates will begin this May for some regions.)

“Lalo na't sa mga nakalipas na taon lahat po ng mga regional offices natin, regional tripartite boards, nakapag-issue na po ng mga kaniya-kaniyang wage orders,” he added.

(Especially since in the previous years, all our regional offices, regional tripartite boards, have issued their own wage orders.)

Asked about the appeal of labor groups for a P200 legislated wage hike, Patriwirawan said DOLE is ready to implement this if the Congress passes the law and Marcos approves it.

Patriwirawan said employers are also consulted to assess the possible impact of wage hikes on their businesses.

“Patuloy po tayong nakikipagdiyalogo sa iba't ibang mga sector kasama po dito ang labor sector and employer sector,” he said.

(We continue to engage in dialogue with various sectors, including the labor sector and employer sector.)

“Kaya sinisiguro po natin tuwing tayo po ay magre-review ng mga wage orders lahat po ng panig ay tinitignan at kinokonsidera sa pagpapasa po ng bagong wage rates po kani-kanilang regions,” he added.

(That is why we ensure that whenever we review wage orders, all parties are looked at and considered in passing new wage rates for their respective regions.)

NCR

The DOLE-National Capital Region (NCR) said it will also start the process for the wage rate review this month.

“60 days prior to the anniversary date ng effectivity ng wage order so the last week, mags-start na kami,” said DOLE-NCR Regional Director Sara Mirasol.

(60 days prior to the anniversary date of the wage order's effectivity, so last week, we'll start.)

“We’ll have labor consultation as well as the employer consultation, dalawa this May and then magkakaroon ng public hearing by June,” she added.

(Two this May, and then there will be a public hearing by June.)

The result of the wage deliberations is expected to be released in July.

In July 2024, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) approved the P35 hike in the daily minimum wage of workers in the capital region, increasing it from P610 to P645 for the non-agriculture sector. 

Positive development

TRABAHO Party-list spokesperson Atty. Mitchell-David L. Espiritu welcomed the announcement, saying that any increase for minimum wage earners is vital, especially given the rising cost of basic necessities in the capital. 

“This is a positive development for our minimum wage earners, who are among the hardest hit by inflation and high living expenses,” he said.

The party-list said that the minimum wage must keep pace with economic realities, pointing out that many workers earning minimum pay still fall short of covering daily household expenses, particularly in urban areas like Metro Manila.

“This wage hike should not be seen as a burden to employers, but as a necessary correction to help hardworking Filipinos survive and thrive,” Atty. Espiritu added. —Joviland Rita with report from Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News