The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) defended the P40 daily minimum wage increase in Metro Manila on Tuesday, stating that it took into account the ability of employers, especially small businesses, to afford the increase.
Criselda Sy, executive director of the National Wages and Productivity Commission of the Department of Labor and Employment, stated that while the government respects the sentiments of labor groups that find the P40 increase insufficient, other factors must be considered before the government grants their request.
“Isa sa sa mga criteria for minimum wage determination ‘yung needs of workers and their families. ‘Yung concern nila na demand for living wage, isa rin ‘yun sa mga tinitignan natin. Subalit, kailangan natin itong i-exercise relative din sa kakayahan ng employers na makapagbigay ng dagdag na sahod at ‘yung overall condition ng ating economic development,” she said.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) of Metro Manila increased the daily minimum wage for non-agricultural and agricultural employees in the region by P40 per day last month.
DOLE defends minimum wage hike in NCR
The Federation of Free Workers, on the other hand, claimed that the increase “falls significantly short of the more than P100 wage recovery” that the labor force had hoped for, given the rising cost of living in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Meanwhile, Partido Manggagawa expressed their displeasure, stating that “the order not only came late but also because it was not the workers but primarily the side of business that was considered in this decision.”
While the DOLE desires a higher income for all Filipinos, Sy stated that this is not an easy decision for the RTWPB.
“Napakahirap para sa ating mga regional boards na timbangin ang lahat ng ito at balansehin kung ano man ‘yung sa tingin nila ang nararapat na kahit papaano ay matugunan natin ‘yung kahilingan ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ‘yung ating mga minimum wage earners na magkaroon sila ng wage increase,” she said.
Sy stated that four regions now have wage rise petitions pending before separate RTWPBs.
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