The 2016 Occupational Wages Survey (OWS) is a nationwide establishment survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) which aims to generate statistics for wage and salary administration and minimum wage determination in collective bargaining negotiations. The survey reference period covers the pay period that includes 31 July 2016. The OWS,which is conducted every two (2) years, is one of the designated statistical activities per E.O. 352 (s.1996) that generates one of the critical data for decision making in the government and the private sector. Further the data category “average monthly occupational wage rate of selected occupations” is one of the variables listed by the Philippine government under the Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The SDDS serves as reference to member countries in the dissemination of economic and financial data to the public.

The 2015/2016 Integrated Survey on Labor and Employment (ISLE) is one of the regular establishment-based surveys of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) which is conducted every two (2) years. The survey covered a total of 12,926 agricultural and non-agricultural establishments employing 20 or more workers nationwide. The main objective of the survey is to generate integrated data sets on employment of specific groups of workers; occupational shortages and surpluses; training of workers; productivity-based incentive schemes; occupational safety and health practices; and occupational injuries and diseases. These data are valuable inputs to studies on industry trends and practices and serve as bases for the formulation of policies on employment, conditions of work and industrial relations. To some extent, the survey results will also be used to assess the progress of decent work in the country.

The total number of registered CBAs filed in 2015 reached 298. With wage provision as one the most discussed concerns during collective bargaining negotiations, several CBAs during the period stipulated different economic provisions in their agreements which mostly focused in the granting of various wage increases to workers.