MINIMUM WAGE IN THE PHILIPPINE COMPARABE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said that the minimum wage in the Philippines is comparable and competitive with other countries in the Southeast Asian region. “Data of the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) show that the minimum wage in the country is at par with our neighboring Southeast Asian countries. This means that our minimum wage is competitive enough for investment growth and job creation,” said Secretary Baldoz, who is also the NWWPC chairman. Citing an NWPC study, Baldoz said that as of 31 May 2013, in Regions 3, 4-A, and 7, or the regions where there are economic zones or investment hubs, the daily minimum wages are almost equal to China, Malaysia, and Thailand. The daily minimum wage in the Philippines is highest in the NCR at US$13.41 because of the region’s standard of living and level of economic development, according to Baldoz. She explained that for purposes of comparing competitiveness of countries, the reference is made to minimum wages in regions or provinces of each country where investments are relatively high. The NWPC data showed that the daily minimum wages in Regions III (US$7.91), IV-A (US$8.23), and VII (US$7.18) are comparable with those of China (US$8.08), Malaysia (US$9.75), and Thailand (US9.75). FULL TEXT HERE: dole.gov.ph/news/view/2134
Posted on: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 05:26:00 +0000