Labor groups want Metro Manila minimum pay hiked to P750

MANILA, Philippines — Labor groups once again called on the government to set the minimum wage for Metro Manila workers at P750 to help their families cope with the cost of living in the capital.

In a four-page petition filed on Monday before the Regional Tripartite Wage Board, 10 groups belonging to the Unity for Wage Increase Now (U-Win) alliance pushed for a P213 minimum pay increase, as they pointed out that the current rate of P537 could not sustain the basic needs of workers and their families.

The groups said that based on the computation of think tank Ibon Foundation, the living wage for a family of five should be P1,008 to help sustain the cost of their basic needs like food, shelter and utilities estimated at P19,400.

Labor groups have repeatedly called in the past for the minimum wage to be pegged at P750. Employers, however, balked at the proposal, warning that such an adjustment might just lead to layoffs.

Last year, the wage board in Metro Manila granted only a P25 wage increase.