The ₱40 increase in the daily minimum wage of private sector workers in Metro Manila will take effect on July 16 as scheduled, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Tuesday.
In a new release, DOLE said the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) reminded that the Wage Order No. NCR-24, which directs the implementation of wage hikes, will still be implemented despite the appeal filed by a coalition of labor organizations.
“The NWPC said that the appeal is part of the minimum wage determination process and shall be acted upon promptly. Based on existing rules, the NWPC shall resolve the appeal within 60 calendar days from the filing date,” the labor department said.
On July 3, the Alliance of Nationalist and Genuine Labor Organization, Labor Alliance for National Development, Gabay ng Unyon sa Telekomunikasyon at Serbisyo, Pinagkaisang Lakas ng Manggagawa ng Manila Bay and their allied labor groups filed a petition against the Wage Order No. NCR-24.
The labor groups asked to increase the wage from ₱40 to ₱1,161 as they argue that the “basis of minimum wage determination should be the family living wage" and "not the poverty threshold".
According to DOLE, other than the aforementioned labor groups, petitions against the ₱40 hike were filed in regions of Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas.
"RTWPBs [Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board] in Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Western Visayas are currently discussing the merit of the petitions. Meanwhile, the RTWPB in Central Visayas is set to conduct public hearings in July and August 2023," it said.
