MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to announce on Monday (Nov. 5) the increase in minimum wage salary of private sector workers in Metro Manila.
However, DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Wednesday did not confirm or deny reports that the adjustment in the salary of minimum wage earners in the National Capital Region (NCR) is PHP25.
He noted that they have not received recommendation from the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-NCR (RTWPB-NCR) on the wage adjustment.
“Probably they are speculating because I for one have not received any formal recommendation from the board because it is the board that recommends any salary adjustment,” the DOLE chief said in an interview.
He admitted that he heard about the PHP25 and to douse any speculation, he has scheduled a press conference next week.
When asked if NCR minimum wage earners will receive more than PHP25, Bello reiterated that the salary increase would not be less than PHP20.
“I go back to my previous statement if there is a wage adjustment it cannot be less than PHP20,” he said.
Labor groups are pushing for wage increase because of the upsurge in the prices of basic commodities due to the rising inflation rate. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
