Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang welcomed the ₱50 daily minimum wage increase in Metro Manila, describing it as a timely boost for workers amid ongoing efforts to ease their economic burden.
The pay raise was a dampener as well on the proposal for a legislated wage hike which, Malacanang said, remains under study due to its potential impact on small businesses and employment.Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro noted efforts to generate employment, adding that investments amounting to $27 billion have led to the creation of 350,000 new jobs nationwide.
The Department of Labor and Employment announced a ₱50 wage hike for Metro Manila workers beginning July 18, the largest hike granted by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in the region.
Labor Secretary Benny Laguesma confirmed that Wage Order 26 raises the daily minimum wage to ₱695 for the non-agriculture sector, and ₱658 for agriculture, retail, and manufacturing firms with fewer than 10 employees. The increase is expected to translate to ₱1,100-₱1,300 monthly, depending on the work schedule, and raise the average monthly pay to ₱15,247-₱18,216 inclusive of benefits.“At kung nagbigay po ngayon ang Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board ng ₱50 na wage hike, iyan po ang na-evaluate na maaaring ibigay sa ating mga manggagawa para maibsan po ang kahit kaunting hirap na lumalabas po ito ay ₱1,300 per month,” Castro said.[Translation: And if the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board has approved a ₱50 wage hike, that was the amount evaluated to be feasible for workers to help ease their burden a bit, which adds up to ₱1,300 per month]On calls for a legislated wage hike, Castro said the president has not committed to supporting such proposals. She added the need to balance worker welfare with business viability.“Pag-aaralan ito kung kakayanin ba talaga kasi kung magdudulot naman ito ng lay-off dahil hindi kakayanin ng karamihang maliliit na mga negosyante, mas marami pong mahihirapang mga manggagawa dahil baka mawalan sila ng trabaho,” she said.[Translation: This will be studied carefully – whether it is truly viable – because if it ends up causing layoffs due to the inability of many small businesses to cope, then more workers might suffer by losing their jobs.]The DOLE noted that while small enterprises and those affected by calamities may apply for exemptions, barangay micro business enterprises remain exempt under the order.
