National Capital Region (NCR) workers, led by Unity for Wage Increase Now (UWIN), picketed at the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-NCR while filing a petition for a ₱1,200 living wage on May 22. They timed their action and submission with the wage consultation called by RTWPB NCR.

Petitioners for a living wage include the United Association of Regan Workers (NSMR-ADLO), Pinagkaisang Lakas ng Manggagawa ng Manila Bay Thread Corp. (United Strength of Manila Bay Thread Corp. Workers, or PLMMBTC-ANGLO), Samahan ng Manggagawa ng Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. (Association of Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp. Workers, or SM-PSACC), and contractual workers. UWIN also gathered signatures together with the Workers’ Initiative for Wage Increase (WIN4WIN) of Calabarzon and Central Luzon Wage Increase Now (CLWIN) in support of the call.

UWIN spokesperson Charlie Arevalo said ensuring a living wage for workers is the state’s mandate. However, he said, “[The Regional Wage Board] has failed to quantify the objective and concrete minimum wage of our workers across the county and has been the very instrument to bar just, decent, and living wage as stated in our Consitution.”

He explained that fellow workers suffering from low wages and the very high daily expenses are living proof of the state’s failure. He explained that even the highest minimum wage in the country today, which is ₱645 in NCR, is not enough for the expenses of a family of five.

The last wage increase for workers in NCR was in July 2024. In Calabarzon and Central Luzon, two rounds of wage increases were implemented between September 2024 and April 2025. The minimum wage in the two regions is only ₱450 to ₱550, and is even differentially tiered based on the classification of the municipality.

“This is why we demand for a ₱1,200 living wage nationwide,” Arevalo emphasized.

UWIN also called on the incoming 20th Congress this June 30 to prioritize the wage hike bill, pending since February 2025, that would add ₱200 to the wage of workers nationwide. “Although meager, the P200 wage hike is crucial for a national-level and legislated wage increase,” Arevalo said.