Metro Manila, Philippines – The impact of the oil crisis may be a factor in discussions at the regional wage boards, a labor official said Wednesday, April 1.
“‘Yung regional tripartite wage boards, tinitiyak namin na tatrabaho sila para magkaroon ng periodic, annual review ang minimum wages,” Labor Undersecretary Benedicto Bitonio Jr. said during a forum.
[Translation: We assure the public that the regional tripartite wage boards will work for periodic, annual review of our minimum wages.]
He said the Metro Manila wage board may begin consultations in May, close to the anniversary of the region’s adjustment order.
Effective July 2025, Metro Manila workers saw rates of ₱695 for the non-agriculture sector and ₱658 for the agriculture sector, service and retail establishments employing 15 or less workers, and manufacturing establishments regularly employing less than 10 workers.
Bitonio said the minimum wage discussions in the next months is not solely based on the Middle East crisis effect.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of national energy emergency, which also signaled the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to set aside funds for vulnerable workers.
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The agency has prepared ₱1.2 billion for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) and integrated livelihood programs.
Bitonio also made a call for the private sector as the DOLE tries to secure the recorded year-on-year gain in the number of wage and salary workers in January.
“[We are] encouraging the private sector to adopt measures including flexible work arrangements, kasama na ang [particularly] work from home,” he said.
“Sana i-activate nila ang grievance mechanism nila para sila na mismo ang magresolba ng kanilang differences,” the official said.
[Translation: We hope that they will activate their grievance mechanism to internally resolve differences.]
“‘Yong may union naman, ang panawagan natin gamitin ‘yong bilateral mechanisms…Kung maaari ‘yong prinsipyo na maximum restraint in the use of strikes and lockouts ay napakaimportante ‘yon para makapag contribute sa policy stability,” Bitonio said.
[Translation: For those with unions, we urge them to maximize bilateral mechanisms. As much as possible, there will be maximum restraint in the use of strikes and lockouts. This is important in contributing to policy stability.]
