A proposal to grant a wage hike for workers based in the National Capital Region (NCR) might be decided on before July 16, 2024.
The Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) will begin hearings on Thursday, June 20. In the Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the Tripartite Board has a month to finalize their decision.
According to Laguesma, the RTWPB's deliberations typically prompt an increase in wages. Moreover, the board is not authorized to reduce the current wage rate.
"All deliberations of the wage board are on increases, though some would say they are small and not enough. But the bottom line is there is an increase," he said.
The labor secretary revealed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had ordered that a wage review be done 60 days before a year passes following the most recent salary adjustment in all regions, which impelled the NCR RTWPB to begin deliberations.
As of now, the daily minimum wage in Metro Manila is at P610. A petition for an increase of P500 was filed recently, as petitioners asserted P610 is much lower than a liveable wage.
Laguesma said the RTWPBs should consider in their decisions both the needs of empolyees and the means of employers to provide salaries. He also pointed out that there are other ways to raise salaries, such as seeking a collective bargain between labor unions and companies.
The proposition, if approved, will see it raised to P800.
