DOLE to Inspect Metro Manila Businesses for New Minimum Wage Compliance

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will conduct region-wide inspections starting July 18 to ensure compliance with the ₱50 daily minimum wage increase in Metro Manila.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma has directed regional and field offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) to intensify inspections and verify adherence to the new wage order issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).

National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) Executive Director Maria Criselda Sy said inspection teams are being deployed to monitor compliance among private establishments and to provide guidance on proper wage implementation.

She noted that the wage order includes an exemption mechanism for qualified microenterprises—specifically those with 10 or fewer workers or those affected by natural or man-made calamities such as fires or economic distress.

Employers seeking exemption may file applications through the NWPC website, which outlines the documentary requirements and evaluation process.

The new wage rate raises the daily minimum pay in Metro Manila from ₱645 to ₱695, covering over one million workers across sectors such as retail, food service, and manufacturing.

DOLE said inspections will begin on the same day the wage adjustment takes effect, warning that non-compliant establishments may face sanctions under existing labor laws.

This marks the third wage increase approved in the region under the Marcos administration and is part of efforts to ease the financial burden on minimum wage earners amid inflation and rising consumer prices.

Labor groups welcomed the adjustment but reiterated calls for a comprehensive review of the country’s wage structure to reflect the actual cost of living for Filipino households.

DOLE reaffirmed its commitment to protecting workers’ rights through sustained enforcement, technical assistance, and a stronger inspection presence across the region.

According to the source: Manila Bulletin.