President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday assured Filipino workers that the government is actively studying potential wage increases across the country, amid continuing demands for better pay and job security as the nation celebrated the 123rd Labor Day.
Speaking before labor officials, Cabinet members, and workers at a Labor Day ceremony in Pasay City, President Marcos said the government “hears the call of our workers for better wages,” adding that the country’s 17 Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) are reviewing salary standards.
“We hear the call of our workers for better wages and assure you that your concerns are being addressed through the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards,” Mr. Marcos said.
“The government stands firm in its commitment to protecting and advancing workers’ welfare while promoting inclusive economic development,” he added.
Since June last year, wage boards in 16 regions have issued 28 wage orders, increasing pay across various sectors.
However, labor groups have said that many of the wage hikes remain insufficient in light of rising inflation and living costs.
The president cautioned that raising wages requires careful consideration of economic impact, saying, “It’s easy to make sweet promises, but they come with effects on business growth, employment, and the overall economy.”
The remarks come amid growing calls from labor groups for a legislated across-the-board wage increase.
Labor groups have cited the increasing cost of basic goods, such as rice, despite recent government measures, including a suggested retail price cap of P45 per kilo for imported rice and a campaign to eventually lower the price to P20.
Moreover, President Marcos also touted improvements in employment rates, job generation, and labor conditions.
From July 2022 to February 2025, more than 4,000 job fairs were held nationwide, resulting in around 170,000 workers being hired on the spot, according to data from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The president acknowledged the challenges faced by Filipino professionals, particularly in renewing licenses under the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) law.
He urged the Professional Regulation Commission to revisit current training requirements, citing complaints over their burden.
“Finding work is already difficult—should we make it harder for those already working?” President Marcos said.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to labor rights and announced plans to ratify the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 155 on occupational safety and health.
