Rank-and-file employees receive wage increase to help absorb increasing cost of living in the Philippines
In a counter-intuitive move amidst the current global economic crisis, local consumer goods company Gandang Kalikasan, Inc., makers of the natural skincare brand Human Nature Philippines, has announced on April 15 that they will be increasing wages among their rank-and-file employees by 10%.
The new minimum wage will equate to Php 27,500/month (Php 1,264/day) in Metro Manila and Php 25,850/month (Php 1,188.50/day) in the provinces, positioning the company among businesses in the Philippines advocating for a living wage over the standard minimum wage.
This is in response to the rising cost of living in the Philippines, driven by increasing fuel prices, transportation costs, and basic goods since the escalation of the Middle East war in late February.
According to company Chairman Dylan Wilk, “Now is the time to be generous because so many prices are shooting up and it will cause real hardship for our people at the bottom.”
Apart from increasing their internal minimum wage, the company has also announced a 25% off sale on almost all of its natural products for members, available across all Human Nature stores nationwide and on their official website. The promo will run until at least the end of May, helping Filipino households access affordable natural personal care products and daily essentials during this period of economic difficulty.
“When prices rise, we want to help Filipinos save,” says the company. “At a time when everyone is increasing prices, we’ve decided to hold our biggest sale for our members to help them save. We’re choosing to believe in the future of the Philippines, that our country will overcome this economic challenge just as Filipinos overcome all others – by our faith in our loving Father and by pulling together and lifting each other up.”
The 18-year-old Filipino social enterprise has long been a pioneer in people-over-profit business practices in the Philippines, championing a living wage model since its founding in 2008. Its policies are grounded in three core advocacies: being Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor, and Pro-Environment.
Among its notable people-over-profit business practices are a shortened 7-hour workday for full pay during non-peak seasons, a no-Sunday work policy even for mall-based stores, and a no-firing policy rooted in a Christian transformative discipline framework.
The decision to increase minimum wage comes with a sacrifice since most companies can not predict how long the economic crunch is going to last. However, the company adds that it’s especially in times of hardships that companies and those who have something to spare should be rising to the occasion to help ease the suffering amongst ordinary folks. Wilk adds, “Life is hard for most people in the Philippines, from the poor to the middle class. But of course it’s generally hardest for those with the least income. Small increases in costs for them can mean not eating (or at least not eating ulam), walking to work/school instead of catching the jeep, cutting off something that’s important to them. I believe the Lord wants to shield our people from those sorts of hardships during this difficult time of increases.”
Human Nature Philippines has endured through the COVID pandemic and now is choosing to be a source of support for their employees and customers living out the battlecry of “walang iwanan” (no one left behind). At a time of rising anxiety over the future, this Filipino company chooses to stand in the gap and provide a lifeline for its employees and loyal customers.
At a time of rising uncertainty, this Filipino company chooses to stand in the gap—offering a lifeline through fair wages, ethical business practices, and accessible products for everyday needs.
Learn more about Human Nature Philippines and its affordable natural skincare products at www.humanheartnature.com.
FAQ:
What is a living wage in the Philippines?
A living wage is the income required for a worker to meet basic needs and live with dignity.
A living wage in the Philippines is the amount a worker needs to earn to cover the real cost of living in the Philippines (including food, housing, transportation, healthcare, and other daily essentials) while still allowing a small margin for savings or emergencies.
This is different from the minimum wage in the Philippines, which is the legally mandated daily pay set by regional wage boards. Based on recent wage orders from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the minimum wage in Metro Manila is ₱695 per day for non-agricultural workers, while wages in other regions range from around ₱435 to ₱600 per day, depending on location and sector.
However, while wages are periodically adjusted, the cost of living continues to rise due to a mix of factors, including higher fuel prices, transportation costs, and basic goods, alongside ongoing inflation in the Philippines.
For context, independent estimates (such as IBON Foundation) place the family living wage for a household of five in Metro Manila at over ₱1,000 per day—significantly higher than the current minimum wage—highlighting the gap between what workers earn and what they need to meet basic living costs. As a result, many workers still struggle to cover everyday expenses, even with recent wage adjustments and calls for a wage increase in the Philippines.
In essence, while minimum wage sets the legal floor, a living wage is about meeting the true cost of living—so workers can live with dignity, not just get by.
Where to buy natural skincare products in the Philippines?
You can buy natural products in the Philippines directly from trusted local brands like Human Nature, one of the most accessible sources of genuinely natural personal care made without harmful chemicals. Human Nature products are available through its official website, physical stores, kiosks, and partner retailers nationwide, making it easy to access affordable personal care without compromising on ingredient safety and ethical sourcing.
For added convenience, Human Nature products are also available on major e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada through official brand stores, offering nationwide delivery and easy checkout.