Manila: Filipino workers tapped for a survey on salaries said they consider themselves fairly paid for their jobs, but this does not mean they are content with it vis- -vis their needs.

According to Philippines News Agency, based on the survey dubbed Salary Pulse: Philippines, done by JobStreet by SEEK in February 2026, and participated in by around 1,009 workers nationwide who are considered a representative number in terms of age and gender, 80 percent said they think they are fairly paid, but 59 percent said they are not happy with their salaries. The report is part of a regional survey done in Asia Pacific.

Explaining the results of the report released on Friday, Agu Juanengo, Hirer Marketing Manager of Jobstreet by SEEK, told the Philippine News Agency after a briefing in Taguig City, the factors taken into account when it comes to fairness of pay include the tasks given to you relative to your compensation. 'However, when we talk about happiness, that's when we introduce now all the other different factors that you have in your life. If I'm a manager and I work eight hours a day, for the other 16 hours of the day, is my pay there satisfactory for me? Is the pay that I'm getting for my job enough to support my life outside of that job?' he quipped.

Juanengo explained that the answer depends on each individual, noting that a person who is single and living alone technically has fewer expenses than someone with a family. This is among the factors why employees negotiate for pay hikes, JobStreet by SEEK Philippines officials said.

The survey showed that Gen Z employees are more assertive about pay hikes, with around 85 percent asking for a pay increase, and they are confident in their current jobs. 'They are very vocal and it doesn't hurt to ask because you can get a yes,' Dannah Majarocon, managing director of Jobstreet by SEEK Philippines, said during the same briefing.

On which sectors normally have the most potential for workers to ask for pay hikes, Juanengo said it is the more in-demand sectors like technology-focused and construction. 'There's also skill scarcity because you have to learn certain skills to be able to work in certain departments within tech. So, because of that combination of scarcity and demand, they're able to ask for more,' he said, adding that workers in this field can easily demonstrate output compared to their sectors.