PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said that calls for a legislated wage increase should be studied carefully, saying it could hurt businesses and the economy.

Marcos made this statement as labor groups reiterated their call for a dialogue with the President to discuss the pressing need for a legislated wage increase.

In his speech during the 123rd Labor Day celebration at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Marcos said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) continued to study the wage levels in each region.

"When it comes to salary increases, it's nice to hear sweet promises, but they have an impact on business growth, jobs and the economy. That's why we need to study them carefully," the President said.

"We hear the call of our workers for better wages and assure you that your concerns are being addressed through the RTWPBs," he added.

The President assured workers that his administration "stands firm in its commitment to protecting and advancing workers welfare while promoting inclusive economic development."

He said that 16 regions in the Philippines have already implemented wage increases since June 2024.

"In total, 28 wage orders have been approved. We want to ensure your well-being, not just now but in the long term," Marcos said.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) earlier said it was ready to implement the P200 legislated wage hike if Congress passes the measure and Marcos approves it.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, meanwhile, announced that the RTWPB in the National Capital Region will begin a new round of talks for a possible minimum wage hike by the middle of the month.

The Labor department also said that it was allocating P2.57 billion in assistance distributed nationwide under its Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program for Labor Day.

The program, which consists of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers and the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program, will help 406,781 Filipinos nationwide.

In the same speech, Marcos said the government remained steadfast in its task to fully advance international labor standards, including the workers' rights to freedom of association, their right to organize and the protection of human rights.

"This is why the Philippines is committed to ratifying the ILO (International Labor Organization) Convention No. 155, establishing the core framework for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) management at national and workplace levels, including a dynamic policy approach to OSH," he said.

Marcos also assured workers that the government continued to improve the labor dispute resolution services.

"We also continue to restore the status of the Philippines in the international community as a beacon of the democratic rights and civil liberties of workers in the Asia-Pacific," he said.

Meanwhile, the President said the country's vibrant economic performance has lowered the unemployment rate to 4.3 percent in 2024, the lowest level recorded in the past 20 years.

From 2022 to 2024, he said the Philippines recorded around $27 billion in investments, while Investment Promotion Agencies reported over P4.35 trillion in total investments during the same period.

These efforts will create over 350,000 jobs nationwide, the President added.

Marcos also emphasized the government's commitment to expanding employment opportunities through nationwide job fairs.

Job fairs

In line with the Labor Day celebration, the government and private sector held job fairs in 69 locations nationwide since April 23, with activities running until May 2.

He said the simultaneous events were held in Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Davao Region.

"We are not only creating opportunities for more jobs. We are also bringing jobs closer to our countrymen through this, just like we are doing now with job fairs," he said.

Marcos said that from July 2022 to February 2025, over 4,000 job fairs have been organized in the country where 1 million Filipinos took part and 170,000 were hired on the spot.

He said there was a one-stop shop at the job fairs to make it "easier, faster and more organized" for applicants to get the preemployment requirements from participating government agencies.

Marcos said that the government was also strengthening the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood-Track in senior high schools to ensure that basic education graduates would have certification from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

He said the micro-credentialing system in technical-vocational education and training was launched in March this year to allow workers to complete short modules and get modular certification even if they have not completed the entire course.

"They can compile certifications to become skilled, which in turn will pave the way for a better job," Marcos said.

"This is the latest training modality that is in line with industry needs. Under this, our trainees can be assured of immediate employment," he added.