UMVA has learned that a major push is underway to significantly raise the minimum daily wage for entry-level workers in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, particularly in key hubs such as Central Visayas.
The BPO Industry Employees’ Network (BIEN) is spearheading this effort, seeking a P1,200 minimum daily wage in Central Visayas and other major BPO centers, citing the rapidly rising cost of living. This move is part of a broader national campaign to standardize the monthly minimum wage at P36,000 for entry-level workers across the industry.
According to information obtained by UMVA, BIEN Philippines president Mylene Cabalona revealed that the group is preparing a petition for Central Visayas, following a similar filing in the National Capital Region (NCR) on April 29. The organization is also targeting other key locations, including Iloilo, where a petition is slated for filing in June.
The push for higher wages comes as BPO workers have seen their pay stagnate for over a decade. Cabalona recalled that when she started in the BPO industry in 2010, her starting salary was P16,000. Yet, many entry-level employees today are still offered between P15,000 and P16,000, despite drastically different economic conditions and inflationary pressures.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the proposed P1,200 daily rate is significantly higher than current regional rates, such as the P500-P540 for Central Visayas and P658-P695 in the NCR. However, Cabalona emphasized that this figure is supported by thorough research into the cost of living, highlighting the urgent need for a wage adjustment.
The indicative start for the next minimum wage review cycle varies by region, with the NCR beginning as early as May, while Central Visayas is scheduled to commence in August. BIEN aims to participate in upcoming public hearings regarding wage petitions in the NCR, further underscoring its commitment to advocating for BPO workers.
