WHEREAS,
while workers in most countries, development as well as underdeveloped,
were experiencing wage freeze or even wage cuts, the minimum wage of
the Filipino worker actually registered an increase of at least 27.6%
during the last two years of severe world recession and
inflation; chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, the 27.6% wage increase, which effectively raised the minimum
wage of P8.00 to P10.21, was decreed by the Government in form of
emergency allowance, the 13th month pay, the 10 paid legal holidays,
the 5-day attendance incentive with pay, the 10% night differential pay
and the 30% premium pay for work on rest days and special holidays;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, the Government has succeeded in minimizing the loss of real
wages through vigorous inflation management policies which have
whittled down the inflation rate. The management of inflation was
undertaken through a system which combined subsidy for wage goods and
an all-out food production program designed primarily to protect the
purchasing power of the Filipino worker;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, the face of the worldwide recession and inflation, the
Philippine economy actually experienced substantial continuing growth
resulting in the reduction of the unemployment to a record low of 3.6%;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, despite the new benefits decreed by the Government for the
Filipino worker and the victory achieved over inflation, his wage has
suffered some real loss;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, to redress the decline in purchasing power incurred by the
Filipino worker as a result of continuing upward price spiral, the
Third National Tripartite Conference of workers, employers and
Government representatives agreed in Baguio City last April 25-27 to
recommend to the Government an early upward revision of the statutory
minimum wage, without prejudice to other adjustments, in the interest
of development and justice taking into consideration the imperatives of
productivity, employment, price stability, balance of payments and
industrial peace.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines,
by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby
order and decree:cralaw:red
Section 1. The minimum wage rate for non-agricultural
workers in the Metropolitan Manila Area shall be ten pesos (P10.00) a
day.
Section 2. The minimum wage rate for non-agricultural
workers in areas outside the Metropolitan Manila Area shall be nine
pesos (P9.00) a day.
Section 3. The minimum wage rate for agricultural
workers in plantations or organized agriculture shall be seven pesos
(P7.00) a day.
Section 4. The minimum wage rate for agricultural
workers in all other types of agricultural shall be six pesos (P6.00) a
day.
Section 5. The above rates shall be separate and
distinct from any other benefits and allowances already being enjoyed
by the workers under any existing laws, decrees or issuances.
Section 6. The minimum wage shall be eight pesos
(P8.00) a day for employees of registered cottage industries employing
not more than thirty (30) workers and registered cooperatives for the
first three (3) years from the effectivity of this Decree; retail and
service establishments regularly employing not more than ten (10)
workers and distressed employers. chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
Section 7. Nothing in this Decree shall be construed
to reduce any existing allowances and benefits of any form under
existing laws, decrees, or issuances and/or under any contract or
agreement between workers and employers, except as hereinabove provided.
Section 8. The Secretary of Labor shall issue
appropriate rules and regulations to implement this Decree and may
establish terms and conditions under which exemptions provided herein
may be granted.
Section 9. Laws, decrees and other issuances
inconsistent with or contrary to this Decree are hereby repealed.
Section 10. This Decree shall take effect on June 1,
1976.
Done in the City of Manila,
this 1st day of May, 1976.
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