MANILA — Despite appeals to further increase the P40 increase for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the decision is final and will take effect on July 16.
DOLE issued the statement after four labor groups filed a petition seeking for more as they argued that minimum wage should be based on the family living wage.
The Alliance of Nationalist and Genuine Labor Organization, Labor Alliance for National Development, Gabay ng Unyon sa Telekomunikasyon at Serbisyo, Pinagkaisang Lakas ng Manggagawa ng Manila Bay stated that the minimum wage should be P1,161 and cited inflation and the “soaring prices of basic services and commodities.”
The wage order issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in the National Capital Region would make the minimum wage for private workers in Metro Manila at P610.
The same P40 increase in minimum wage applies for those working in the agriculture sector based on the NCR Board wage order.
The current minimum wage for those in the agriculture sector is P533 and with the wage order, it would increase to P573.
The same increase— P533 to P573—also covers service and retail establishments employing 15 or less workers and manufacturing establishments regularly employing less than 10 workers.
Several petitions were also filed in Regions III, IV-A, V, VI, and VII. RTWPBs in Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Western Visayas for higher minimum wages.
In addition, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Central Visayas is set to conduct public hearings in July and August of 2023. (MB)
