Wage Hike

Wage Hike

By Star Torres – TheNATIONWEEK.com | September 10, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The Federation of Free Workers and the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition are supporting the PhP 60 wage increase for private workers in Metro Manila but urged the Department of Labor and Employment to facilitate the release of the remaining PhP 25 increase based on Wage Order No. 27.

In a joint statement on Thursday, the two labor groups said Wage Order No. 28, granting a PhP 60 increase for private workers, was approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region and “serves merely as a temporary bridge for workers struggling with rising living costs.”

However, the PhP 60 wage hike should not be treated as a substitute for the fully contested Wage Order No. 27.

“Workers must receive the higher applicable wage and lose no accrued benefits,” the statement read, highlighting that this formula protects workers’ legal claims while keeping the process fair.

The coalition also took aim at the regulatory bodies, reminding them of their statutory duties. “The Wage Boards were created to determine wages—not to surrender that mandate indefinitely, whether through official inaction or deference to a court or entity without jurisdiction.”

FFW President Atty. Sonny Matula said wage boards were created to determine wages—not to surrender that mandate indefinitely, whether through official inaction or deference to a court or entity without jurisdiction.

The tripartite board earlier issued Wage Order No. 27, granting a PhP 85 across-the-board wage increase for all minimum wage earners in Metro Manila.

But two private companies filed an injunction to stop the wage order’s implementation, prompting DOLE to halt the wage increase.

“Dalawang kumpanya ang nagdemanda, hindi ibig sabihin dalawang kumpanya ang naging spokesperson ng buong NCR. Hindi puwedeng ang petisyon ng dalawa ay gawing libreng payong ng lahat,” said Matula.(“Two companies filed a lawsuit; that does not mean that they have become the spokespersons for the entire NCR. The petition of the two cannot be used as a free umbrella for everyone,” said Matula.)

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