Minimum wage rises in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board of the National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) hiked the minimum wage in Metro Manila to P466, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said on Friday.

“DOLE-NCR Regional Director Alex Avila, chairperson of the RTWBP-NCR has reported to me that the RTWPC-NCR in a very cordial meeting had unanimously made a decision to increase the minimum wage by P10 per day to bring the minimum wage to P466 in the National Capital Region upon the effectivity of the new  wage hike,” Baldoz said.

She added that the wage board has decided to include P15 from the existing P30 cost of living allowance (COLA) into the basic wage effective Jan. 1 next year.

"This will bring the new basic wage to P451 and the new minimum wage to P466,” Baldoz said.

Avila said the new wage order covers all minimum wage workers in the private sector in Metro Manila regardless of position, designation or status of employment.

However, the order said domestic helpers; persons in the personal service of another, including family drivers; and workers of duly registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises with Certificates of Authority are not included in the wage hike.

Baldoz said the board has increased the minimum wages in the NCR 12 times, amounting to a total of P268 per day since 14 years ago.

“Our workers’ take home pay is increased to P11,240 per month, or by 2.1 percent, compared to the current P11,005 per month. Our workers will get a bigger 13th month pay of P11,651 or an increase of about 5.9 as a result of the COLA integration,” Baldoz said.

The wage hike will take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper.