The country’s militant labor federation dismissed as “very inadequate” the announced daily wage increase announced by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday, pointing out that the P85 increase would only be given in increments and only to National Capital Region (NCR) workers.
“It is very inadequate compared to the several increases in oil prices, electricity bills and other expenses,” Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said in its quick reaction to the announcement that the daily minimum wage in Metro Manila would increase from P695 to P780.
KMU secretary general Mary Ann Castillo also said the government has yet to address the disparity between daily minimum wage in the NCR and in other regions of the country. Daily minimum wage in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region remains pegged at P366.
DOLE secretary Francis Tolentino said the largest wage hike ever approved by the NCR tripartite wage board is “historic” seen to benefit 1.1 million daily wage earners in the region.
The wage increase will be implemented in two tranches: P60 starting July 19, 2026 while and the P25 remainder will be given starting January next year.
“For the agricultural sector, service, and retail establishments, which have 15 or fewer employees, and manufacturing establishments in Metro Manila with fewer than 10 workers, the wage will increase from P658 to P743,” Tolentino said.
KMU, however, said Tolentino must not claim credit for his biggest announcement since his recent appointment as labor chief.
“This was not given voluntarily by the DOLE under Tolentino. It was borne out of the strong action of workers and the Filipino people. Let us continue and strengthen our struggle until we achieve our reasonable demands,” Castillo said.
The labor leader said the government owes all workers in any industry, whether regular or contractual, in the private or public sectors, P1,200 daily living wage.
Economic think-tank IBON Foundation said a family of five needs P1,312 daily to live decently. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
