Ten (10) peso increase in minimum wage in Metro Manila

Posted by leecpa at 9:52 AM

Just recently, news discussing an increase in minimum daily wage rate in Metro Manila, Philippines of P10 of has been widespread over the internet and the public has mixed reaction on the matter. Does increase in the minimum wage rate of P10 really mean something substantial to the minimum wage earners?

Update: The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board has issued Wage Order No. NCR-18 effective October 4, 2013, Click Here.

Various articles were published online discussing the details of this increase. Even if it has gone a wide publication, we cannot change the fact that it is just P10. It's just equivalent to a fare for a 5-kilometer jeepney ride.

What does this increase actually mean to the minimum wage earners? What can we buy with P10?

1 sachet of shampoo
1 bar of laundry soap
1 jeepney/tricycle ride
1 sachet of dishwashing liquid
1 pack of instant noodles (not that one in cup)
1 sachet of toothpaste
2 biscuits
1 bottle of water 250ml (from peddler only)

I couldn't think of anything with greater value that you can buy with P10. How about?

1 kilo of rice? X
1 order of viand for a meal? X
1 LRT/MRT/Bus ride? X
1 can of sardines? X
1 regular load (enough to make a call)? X

This wage increase is really pathetic.

Following are some articles mushrooming the internet discussing the P10 increase in the minimum wage:

Ten (10)-peso increase in minimum wage in Metro Manila (wage hike)

The Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board of the National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) has approved a P10 increase in the minimum wage in Metro Manila. The Wage Order to implement this increase in minimum wage is yet to be issued by the RTWPB-NCR. The Wage Order will be issued 10 days from its publication and will be effective 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

The minimum wage is composed of the basic wage and cost of living allowance (COLA). COLA is distinguished component of the minimum wage as it is NOT considered in the computation of the 13th month pay. ...
Wage hike lowest so far for Metro Manila

LABOR AND BUSINESS groups both normally reject mandated minimum wage hikes, with the former complaining the amounts are not enough and the latter decrying the added cost.

Trade unions are again up in arms over the P10 per day increase granted last week to Metro Manila workers but this time management says the adjustment -- while still a challenge -- is “fair.”

Minimum wages in the metropolis will rise to P429-466/day, effective 15 days after publication of the requisite order. The P10 adjustment -- expected to set the cap for increases in the rest of the country -- is the lowest to have been ordered for Metro Manila since minimum wages began being set by region in 1990. ...
NCR workers to get P10 wage hike

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) – Good news for workers: The Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board of the National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) has approved a P10 increase in the minimum wage in Metro Manila.

"The RTWPC-NCR... unanimously made a decision to increase the minimum wage by P10.00 per day to bring the minimum wage to P466 in the National Capital Region upon the effectivity of the new wage hike," Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said in a statement.

The RTWPB-NCR has also decided to integrate P15 of the existing P30 Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) under RTWPB-NCR Wage Order No. 17 into the basic wage effective January 1, 2014. ...
Govt hikes minimum wage in NCR to P466 with P10 increase, effective 2014
The government has approved a P10.00 increase in the salary of minimum wage earners in Metro Manila, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz announced Friday. But it faces the same problem of compliance by employers.

In a statement, Baldoz said the salary adjustment has increased the basic salary of private sector workers in the National Capital Region (NCR) to P466.00. She cited Wage Order No. 18 of the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board of the National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR).

The adjustment will take effect in January 2014. ...
Minimum wage earners in Metro Manila get P10 wage hike

MANILA, Philippines—Minimum wage earners from the private sector in Metro Manila can look forward to a P10 wage hike by the end of the month.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said on Friday that the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board of the National Capita Region (RTWPB-NCR) decided to increase the minimum wage by P10 per day upon the effectivity of the wage order.

The wage order, which was issued Friday, is expected to take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

With its effectivity, the minimum wage will go up to P466.

“The RTWPB-NCR also decided to integrate P15 of the existing P30 Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) under RTWPB-NCR Wage Order No. 17 into the basic wage effective 1 January 2014. This will bring the new basic wage to P451 and the new minimum wage to P466,” added Baldoz.