Not unexpectedly, the recent ₱50 daily minimum wage increase in Metro Manila has sparked mixed reactions among Filipino workers and labor groups.
Many labor organizations called the increase insufficient, labeling it a “drop in the bucket” compared to the rising cost of living.
The Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa described it as “damage control,” criticizing it as a weak attempt to pacify workers after the failure to pass a national wage hike law.
For its part, the Partido Manggagawa argued the hike does not address the “skyrocketing cost of living” and vowed to push for a ₱200 legislated increase in the 20th Congress.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers called the increase “an insult,” saying it does little to ease the burden on educators and other workers.
But Malacañang welcomed the increase, calling it a step toward easing workers’ hardship. President Marcos Jr. expressed caution about broader legislated wage hikes, citing concerns about potential job losses if small businesses cannot absorb the additional costs.
The Department of Labor and Employment said the ₱50 hike was the highest ever approved by the regional wage board and would benefit around 1.2 million workers.
Economists and employers offered divergent views—some saw it as a fair compromise, while others worried about its impact on micro industries.
So while the increase is historic in size, many workers feel it’s not enough to meet their daily needs.
How does the recent P50 increase in the minimum wage stack up against wage hikes in other Southeast Asian countries?
Our ₱50 minimum wage increase brought Metro Manila’s daily wage to ₱685, still lower than Thailand’s and Malaysia’s monthly equivalents.
Vietnam and Indonesia implemented a 6 percent increase, reflecting inflation and cost-of-living pressures. Malaysia opted for wage growth through skills, not across-the-board hikes. Singapore remains an outlier with no national minimum wage, relying on sectoral guidelines.
How would the recent wage increase compare with living costs or average salaries in some ASEAN member-countries?
Singapore has the highest salaries and living costs by far. Rent alone can exceed $2,000/month. Vietnam and Indonesia offer the lowest living costs, but also have lower average wages. Malaysia strikes a balance with moderate wages and cost of living.
The Philippines has one of the lowest minimum wages, and while Manila’s salaries are higher than Vietnam’s, the cost of living is rising.
Thailand offers decent wages relative to its cost of living, especially in cities like Bangkok.
The workers’ groups and labor unions here are well within their right to demand a higher minimum wage that would allow them to meet basic living costs, especially in urban centers.
