MINIMUM WAGES LOWER BY AT LEAST 2ti WHEN ACCOUNTING FOR INFLATION

The infographic shows the buying power of minimum wages across regions when their respective inflation levels are taken into account. In addition to the differences in “nominal” wages set by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards, the pace at which general prices rise in a region also determines the extent to which a minimum wage would be able to afford goods. Thus, it is possible that a region with a higher set minimum wage would afford fewer goods and services than another region during a given period. For instance, the nominal wage among non-agriculture workers in Soccsksargen (P336) is higher than that for those in Caraga (P320), but the “real” wage in the latter (P250.59) is higher than that of the former (P248.89). Across regions, real wages are 20% to 26.1% lower than their respective nominal