MANILA, Philippines — The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board has approved Monday the P35 hike in the daily minimum wage of workers in the National Capital Region, but militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno said the increase was a “big insult.”
This decision will increase the minimum wage of Metro Manila workers from P610 to P645 starting July 17.
The decision from the National Wages and Productivity Commission was announced Monday morning, and it will take effect 15 days after it is published in national newspapers.
Following the approval of Wage Order 25, KMU said in a statement that the wage order could be likened to a loose change.
“Ang panawagan ng mga manggagawa ay nakabubuhay na sahod, pero ang ibibigay satin ay masahol pa sa barya,” KMU Secretary-General Jerome Adonis told reporters.
It noted that the board “once again” implemented a “measly wage hike” that was P5 lower than last year’s wage increase.
The most recent wage increase directive in NCR was approved on July 16, 2023, resulting in a P40 raise.
According to the order, the minimum wage rates apply to regular working hours, which shall not exceed eight hours per day.
The labor group also criticized Marcos Jr. for choosing to raise wages through regional boards instead of pushing for a nationwide wage increase through the Lower House.
“Nagpatawag ng wage review para tugunan ang panawagan ng mga manggagawa para sa dagdag-sahod, tapos 35 pesos lang ang ibibigay? Ni hindi pa sapat para sa isang kilong bigas,” Adonis said.
The RTWPB-NCR conducted three consultations and public hearings with labor and management on May 23, June 4, and June 20 in Quezon City.
How much does it cost to survive in the metro?
The IBON Foundation’s latest report indicates that as of January 2024, a family of five living in Metro Manila needs at least P1,193 per day or P25,946 per month to maintain a decent standard of living.
However, with the passing of the minimum wage hike, the new P645 minimum wage only slightly breached half of the P1,196 living wage hike.
