The daily minimum wage in Metro Manila for private sector workers will increase by P35 starting July 17, a salary adjustment that will directly impact 988,243 minimum wage earners and may also affect around 1.7 million employees paid higher salaries.
Based on the order of the National Capital Region Wage Board, the minimum daily wage for non-agricultural workers will increase to P645 from the current P610 while those for the agriculture sector, service and retail establishments employing 15 or less workers, and manufacturing establishments regularly employing less than 10 workers will receive P608 instead of P573.
“The increase, which was based on various wage determination criteria provided under Republic Act No. 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act, also considered the three petitions filed by various labor groups seeking an increase in the daily minimum wage due to escalating prices of basic goods and commodities,” the National Wages and Productivity Commission said in an announcement published July 1.
The NCR Wage Board conducted two consultations for workers and employers in early May and June, and a public hearing and a deliberation late last month.
“The new rates, which translate to about 5.7 percent increase from the prevailing daily minimum wage rates in the region, remain above the latest regional poverty threshold for a family of five,” the wage board said. “These likewise result in a comparable 5 percent increase in wage-related benefits covering 13th month pay, service incentive leave, and social security benefits such as SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG,” it added.
The last wage increase in Metro Manila was implemented on July 16 last year.
