Non-wage benefits considered in the Philippines

The Philippine’s Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) may rely on private sector assistance to provide non-wage benefits to workers amid rising costs of living. 

The government is considering the option as labour groups complained that the value of the new wage hikes implemented by the regional wage boards recently were already eroded by the high inflation rate. 

“We will guide foreign investors and businesses. Maybe we can network with them to tap their resources or funds from their corporate social responsibility,” said Labour and Employment Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma. 

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This could translate to providing non-wage benefits to workers like free rides on trains, he explained. “We should give attention not only to wages, but also non-wage benefits…These should also be quantified.”

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the inflation rate reached 6.1% in June, which is the highest since November 2018.