Workers who already received salaries reflecting the new Metro Manila minimum wage do not have to return the additional amount despite the court-ordered suspension of the increase, the Department of Labor and Employment said Friday.
Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the higher pay had already become part of the workers’ vested rights because it was released before the wage order was formally suspended.
He added that salaries prepared and paid before the National Wages and Productivity Commission issued a suspension should remain with employees.
The clarification followed a temporary restraining order issued by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 152 against NCR Wage Order No. 27, which granted an Php 85 daily minimum wage increase in Metro Manila.
The TRO, issued July 30, will remain in effect until Aug. 13. The court set a hearing on the case for Aug. 3.
Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc. sought to stop the wage order while their petition for declaratory relief remained pending.
The companies argued that the wage increase failed to sufficiently account for higher fuel prices, rising input costs, weaker consumer demand and tighter credit conditions.
They also said the adjustment would further raise labor expenses while their businesses were already dealing with operating losses and reduced profit margins.