No minimum wage hike for May 1, says Dole
The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) announced that there will be no minimum wage hike on May 1, stressing that future adjustments remain under the authority of Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) confirmed on May 1, 2024 (Labor Day) that there would be no nationwide minimum wage hike effective that date. Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma stated that wage adjustments remain region-specific under the authority of Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs), without a universal nationwide increase absent congressional action. This announcement came despite labor groups pushing for a ₱200 across-the-board wage increase, with DOLE emphasizing that regional boards would assess wage rates based on local economic conditions, inflation, and other factors.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had ordered all 16 RTWPBs to review minimum wage rates starting May 2024, with results expected by July in some regions. The regional wage boards operate independently and consider tripartite consensus involving government, labor, and employer representatives. DOLE's position was that wage adjustments should be region-based rather than nationwide to account for varying economic conditions across different parts of the country.
Following the May 1 announcement, regional wage boards proceeded with their reviews and began implementing increases later in 2024. Notable regional hikes included Metro Manila (NCR) receiving a ₱35 increase (from ₱610 to ₱645 daily) effective after June 27, 2024; CALABARZON (Region IV-A) implementing ₱21-₱75 daily increases effective September 30, 2024; and Central Visayas (Region VII) granting ₱33-₱43 daily increases effective October 2, 2024. All 16 RTWPBs eventually issued wage orders increasing minimum daily wages by ₱30-₱89, with separate adjustments for domestic workers ranging from ₱400-₱1,500 monthly.
The regional approach to wage setting represents the Philippines' decentralized wage determination system established under Republic Act 6727 (Wage Rationalization Act). This system allows each region's tripartite board to consider local economic conditions, cost of living, and business capacity when determining appropriate wage levels. DOLE assured workers that pay hikes would come through this regional process, with the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) overseeing the implementation of wage orders across different regions throughout 2024.
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