Metro Manila workers to get wage hike soon – DOLE

MANILA, Philippines — Minimum wage earners in Metro Manila could get a salary increase soon as a wage review is set to begin.

Around four million minimum wage earners and another eight million workers will benefit from pay adjustments granted by Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs), Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma announced yesterday.

All 17 RTWPBs nationwide complied with President Marcos’ directive to initiate deliberations 60 days before the anniversary of the last wage order, Laguesma said.

Some labor groups are demanding a legislated across-the-board wage hike. Others are calling for the adoption of a living wage.

Laguesma said workers can use other mechanisms, such as a collective bargaining agreement, for salary adjustments.

Laguesma said the Department of Labor and Employment will mount job fairs at 70 sites nationwide on May 1.

He said 170,000 local and overseas jobs would be offered by 2,000 employers.

Livelihood projects will be given to select beneficiaries, Laguesma said.

Kadiwa stores selling commodities at cheaper prices will be set up at the venues, he said.

Laguesma said the government is taking steps to prevent erosion in the purchasing power of workers.