Abstract:
This research studies the current wage system in the Philippines as compared to the
concrete living conditions of the Filipino workers. The topic is timely and important in
this period of monopoly capitalism where the chronic crisis brought by the existing
system of production along with the relations of production narrows the resources and the
gains of the economy to the few ruling elites while the vast majority is slowly drawn to
the working class. Such conditions call for inquiry if indeed the system that creates wage
earners can secure a decent and fulfilling life for the workers.
The conditions of workers are taken from 100 respondents in 2 manufacturing firms
within Metro Manila. The study showed that even with the highest minimum wage in the
country (P404.00 in NCR) workers are still unable to cope with the daily cost of living.
The study also included the suppression of workers' rights such as the implementation of
flexible labor arrangements and contractualization.
The researcher recommends that wage determination be at the national level instead of
the current regional level of wage setting so that workers can be more united in calling
for just wages and also help agricultural workers to have better purchasing power
considering that genuine land reform is not yet achieved. The research show that it is in
the best interest of the workers that the minimum wage should be based on the daily cost
of living (P917.00 in 2010) as such amount only reflects the needs of any Filipino given
the changes in prices of basic goods and services necessary for the worker and his family.
