The Department of Labor and Employment and private stakeholders will conduct a series of rigorous studies on the P184 across-the-board daily wage increase for workers in Metro Manila filed by the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.
“The petition for the wage increase will go through hard and rigorous study,” according to Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod.
The ALU-TUCP filed a P184 pay increase before the Regional Wage and Productivity Board in the National Capital Region to correct disparities in basic pay and the grant of additional monetary benefits for Metro Manila workers.
“We are fully aware that our workers receive a very modest pay that’s why the labor groups are seeking for salary adjustment. We support them but we have to study the impact of the petition. President Duterte even said that this should be studied,” Maglunsod said.
He added that extensive study and consultation between business, labor, and other concerned sectors are needed as the proposed increase will give substantial relief to the workers and their families but will also have implications on the side of the business and employers.
“I support the workers’ fight, because it’s their right to ask for a raise and help their families. The DoLE will consider the request and will discuss it with the Regional Wage bodies because under the law, the responsibility of raising pay is through the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board,” Maglunsod explained.
The RTWPBs are mandated by law to determine and fix the minimum wage rates and structure applicable in a particular region.
The board is composed of the DoLE regional director, regional directors of the National Economic and Development Authority and Department of Trade and Industry, and two representatives each from the worker and employer sectors as members.
The increase of minimum wage was among the major issues raised by workers during the labor dialogue with President Rodrigo Duterte on Labor Day.