Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in South Korea will see a pay increase this year as the country’s Minimum Wage Commission approved a 2.9 percent hike, raising the hourly minimum wage to 10,320 Korean won (about ₱418). More than 25,000 Filipino workers are expected to benefit from the adjustment, which took effect on January 1, 2026.

MANILA, Philippines, Feb. 6, 2026 — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that thousands of OFWs in South Korea will enjoy higher wages following the government’s decision to raise the minimum hourly rate from 10,030 won in 2025 to 10,320 won this year. The increase translates to a monthly wage of 2,156,880 won, or roughly ₱87,400, based on a standard 40-hour workweek and 209 working hours per month.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the wage hike reflects South Korea’s commitment to fair labor practices and equal treatment for foreign workers. “This is a welcome development for our OFWs, especially those under the Employment Permit System in manufacturing and caregiving sectors,” Cacdac noted. He added that the adjustment would help Filipino workers cope with rising living costs while ensuring they remain competitive in the South Korean labor market.

The wage increase was finalized during the 12th plenary session of South Korea’s Minimum Wage Commission, marking the first unanimous agreement among labor, business, and public representatives in nearly two decades. The commission emphasized that the new rate applies across all industries, ensuring that migrant workers receive the same benefits as their Korean counterparts.

According to the DMW, the pay hike will directly benefit more than 25,000 OFWs currently employed in South Korea. Many of them work in heavy industries, shipbuilding, manufacturing, and caregiving, sectors that rely heavily on foreign labor. The department also highlighted that the increase aligns with the principle of equal treatment, a cornerstone of South Korea’s employment policies for migrant workers.

While the 2.9 percent raise is considered modest compared to past wage hikes under previous administrations, labor groups welcomed the move as a step toward improving workers’ welfare. For OFWs, the adjustment means an additional 60,610 won per month, or about ₱2,450, which could significantly support their families back home.

The Philippine government has assured OFWs that it will continue to monitor wage policies in South Korea and other host countries to safeguard the rights and welfare of Filipino workers abroad. With the new wage rate now in effect, OFWs in South Korea can expect more financial stability and improved living conditions in 2026.