Minimum Wage Adjustment Being Studied by DOLE

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) are in talks to address the proposal made by the Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives for a minimum wage increase to Php 750 across-the-board.

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Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has said that workers can expect a wage increase “within the month”. According to an article on Rappler, Bello has instructed wage boards to closely monitor the increasing prices of basic commodities due to the impact of TRAIN law (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion).

Also read: TRAIN Package One: A Need-To-Know Guide to Republic Act 10963

A minimum wage increase across the country is foreseen to be implemented by August or September this year as well as subsidies for Filipino minimum wage earners. However, President Duterte has since ordered to study the possible increase, therefore, hastening the decision from DOLE to recommend the proposal to Congress.

“It is not the authority of Department of Labor and Employment. It is Congress that can fix the national minimum wage,” Bello said in a report by Inquirer.

House Bill No. 7787 or the National Minimum Wage Bill was passed on Monday, May 28 by Makabayan who also previously filed a petition to strike down TRAIN law.

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Sources: Inquirer.net, Rappler