In rallies and demonstrations, it is not uncommon to hear of complains regarding the low salary rates in the Philippines. It is also one of the strongest reason why so many Filipinos choose to leave the country for better opportunities overseas.
In light of this reality, a new report from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)may come as a surprise to all.
This report states that apparently, Filipinos enjoy high minimum wage as compared to citizens of other Asian countries.
The Philippines ranked fourth in a comparative analysis done of the daily minimum wage among eight Asian countries. The Philippines placed high in this survey because the Filipino workers in Metro Manila get a daily minimum wage of USD 6.26.
Of the Asian countries included in the study, Singaporeans enjoy the highest minimum wage of USD 46.44. South Koreans placed second with a daily minimum wage of USD 12.66. Coming in third is Malaysia that guarantees their labor force with a daily minimum wage of USD 12.66.
The Philippine government gives higher salary than other Asian countries included in this survey like Thailand, Indonesia, China, and Vietnam. Thailand (Bangkok City) ranked fifth with a USD 4.66 daily minimum wage. Indonesia (Jakarta City) is sixth with a daily minimum wage of USD 1.62 followed by China (Bejing City) with a daily minimum wage of USD 2.49. Vietnam has the lowest daily minimum wage of USD 1.26.
Aside from the comparatively high salary, minimum wage earners in the Philippines also enjoy a yearly increase in their salary. The minimum wage in Metro Manila significantly rose from Php 89 in 1989 to the current minimum wage of Php 325. However, there is no minimum wage increase in year 2003 because it is also the year of the SARS breakout.
To further boost the morale of Filipino workers and to show the appreciation of the government for their contribution in strengthening the economy, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on May 1, 2006 announced a Php 46 million in non-wage benefits. Among these are Php 12 billion for the condonation of SSS/GSIS salary and housing loan penalties; about Php7 billion tax breaks in the form of withholding tax exemptions for minimum wage earners and Php 500 million TESDA Business Process Outsourcing scholarships among others.
Local and overseas Filipino workers are also assured of various benefits, protection and assistance through government agencies like the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration (OWWA).
