Solons to seek P200 daily minimum wage hike
By Nidz Godino
“Ang lumalabas na consensus dito sa House of Representatives, pending ongoing public consultation, baka kayang dagdagan ng P200 bawat araw ang minimum wage,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said House of Representatives is expediting deliberations to push for P200 wage hike.
Announcement by Romualdez came day after meeting with labor groups on Tuesday, January 28.
In statement, House Speaker said proposed wage hike legislation will address “urgent need for economic relief” while “ensuring balanced approach that considers welfare of workers and sustainability of micro, small, and medium enterprises.”
Romualdez also noted that last major wage increase occurred over three decades ago with Wage Rationalization Act of 1989, successfully raised wages without causing significant inflation or widespread business closures.
“If we were able to do this in the past, there is no reason why we cannot do it now, especially with careful planning and collaboration with all sectors…hindi lang natin tataasan ang suweldo, titiyakin din nating makatutulong ito sa ating ekonomiya,” he said.
Wage increase in 2024
In December 2024, data from the Department of Labor and Employment said that wage increases that had been approved across the country by 14 Regional Tripartite Wage Productivity Boards had benefitted almost five million workers.
The wage hikes range from P21 to P75.
Wage increases were granted in the following regions:
- National Capital Region (NCR)
- Cordillera Administrative Region
- Region1
- Region 2
- Region 3
- Region 4-A
- Region 4-B
- Region 6
- Region 7
- Region 8
- Region 9
- Region 10
- Region 12
- Region 13
For example, in the NCR, the Tripartite Wage Productivity Boards approved a P35 wage increase, raising the minimum wage from P610 to P645.
However, despite the wage increase, data from the economic think tank Ibon Foundation shows that the P645 minimum wage in Metro Manila is still insufficient for a family to live decently.
“A family of five in NCR should receive a wage of P1,223 a day or 26,590 a month in order to live decently,” Ibon Foundation said.
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