THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to announce the decision on wage hike in Metro Manila this week.
Three petitions for higher wages for Filipino workers in Metro Manila have been decided by the DOLE.
According to DOLE Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board- National Capital Region will release the said decision this week.
“The consultation, public hearing, and wage deliberation are already done,” Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma, DOLE said.
“We expect the wage resolution within this week. So within this week, we will be able to address this,” Laguesma added.
Of the three petitions filed for a wage increase, one petition is asking for a P100 across-the-board increase to the daily wage.
Another group is asking for the daily minimum wage to be raised to P1,140 while another group filed a petition to raise the daily minimum wage to P1,161.
DOLE stresses need for more livelihood for Filipinos
But Laguesma clarified that it is necessary to balance the need for wage increases and look at the capability of employers along with other factors such as inflation.
He said the majority of Filipino workers are in micro and small-medium enterprises.
“I’m very sure that we will also hear something there that this is not enough.”
“Nothing is enough. But we have to make a balance and make sure that any response to the needs of the workers and their families will not mean harm to the investors.” Laguesma added.
Several studies have said that the existing minimum wage is not enough to meet the needs of an ordinary Filipino family.
But Laguesma thinks that if two of each family have a job, it is possible to meet the said needs.
That’s why he said we should attract more investors to the country to create more jobs.
“Having said that, the real challenge is that we can create additional jobs so families can help each other.”
“We cannot say all their needs must be answered or answered by an employer only by a worker,” he added.
