MANILA — A labor group representing business process outsourcing (BPO) employees on Tuesday renewed its call for a ₱1,200 daily living wage, citing worsening economic conditions faced by workers nationwide.

Mylene Cabalona, national president of the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN), said the demand reflects the growing gap between wages and the rising cost of living, affecting not only workers in the National Capital Region but across the country.

Earlier on April 29, 2026, BIEN submitted a petition for a wage increase before the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board–National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR), urging authorities to implement a significant pay adjustment ahead of the May 1 International Workers’ Day activities.

Cabalona said workers have long been pushing for a living wage even before the issuance of NCR Wage Order No. 26, emphasizing that the demand is anchored on constitutional provisions guaranteeing labor protection and humane working conditions.

She added that the ₱1,200 proposed daily wage is consistent with the government’s own definition of a living wage, which includes the capacity to meet basic needs, ensure social security, and support a decent standard of living.

The BIEN official cited estimates from the IBON Foundation placing the family living wage at ₱1,266 per day, saying the group’s proposal remains grounded in research and economic realities.

Cabalona pointed to rising fuel costs and increases in transportation, electricity, water, and LPG prices as key factors straining workers’ budgets. She also noted that inflation reached 4.1 percent in March 2026, based on Philippine Statistics Authority data, further eroding purchasing power.

She said the decline in the value of the peso, with ₱1.00 now equivalent to about ₱0.75 in real terms, underscores the urgency of adjusting wages. The declaration of a State of National Energy Emergency under Executive Order No. 110, she added, highlights the broader economic pressures affecting households.

Cabalona maintained that a substantial wage increase is justified and feasible, citing IBON Foundation data indicating that a ₱1,200 minimum wage would represent a manageable share of company profits across different enterprise sizes.

She also underscored workers’ contributions to the economy, noting that in 2025, the average Filipino worker generated between ₱581,000 and ₱593,000 in annual output. In the BPO sector, around 1.9 million workers produced approximately $40 billion in revenue, or about ₱1.2 million worth of services per worker annually.

Despite this, BIEN’s February 2026 survey found that many BPO employees continue to receive relatively low pay, with a significant portion earning between ₱15,000 and ₱24,000 monthly.

Cabalona said these wage levels are insufficient to support a decent standard of living, reinforcing the need for immediate government action.

She added that while BIEN continues to pursue wage petitions and legislative measures, meaningful gains for workers have historically been achieved through collective action.

Cabalona urged BPO workers to organize and participate in the upcoming Labor Day mobilization, calling it part of a broader push for higher wages, improved working conditions, and social justice.