PCCI: P35 minimum wage hike in NCR ‘reasonable’

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business group, on Thursday said that the P35 increase in the daily minimum wage of private sector workers in the National Capital Region (NCR) is “reasonable."

In a statement, PCCI president Enunina Mangio said employers will strictly adhere to the new minimum wage — from P610 to P645 —approved by NCR’s Regional Tripartite and Productivity Wage Boards.

“It’s a decision made by the wage board, we will respect and follow that. On the part of PCCI, we will monitor and evaluate its impact on our micro and small enterprises that we consider the backbone of our economy,” Mangio said.

The PCCI chief said the P35 wage hike is “fair enough” compared to the previously proposed P100 which, she said, was “too much for employers and could likely lead to closure of businesses and unemployment.”

Mangio said that it is also important to consider adjusting minimum wages’ impact on businesses that will be forced to adjust to higher labor costs particularly the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority  (PSA), the PCCI chief said small enterprise establishments employ 10-99 workers while medium enterprises have a total of 100-199 workers.

“I believe it’s a win-win decision for both employers and workers. We also recognize how inflation is affecting all of us,” Mangio said.

She also cited the importance of fostering constant and constructive dialogue and collaboration among concerned stakeholders towards achieving equitable and sustainable economic growth for all.

While the PCCI described the wage order as “reasonable,” the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said the wage hike was not sufficient for the daily expenses of Filipino workers. 

In defense of the P35 wage hike, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the minimum wage is only meant for entry level positions. 

TUCP, meanwhile, said it will continue to push for a P150 legislated wage hike, which is already approved in the Senate and still pending in the House of Representatives’ Committee of Labor and Employment. --VAL, GMA Integrated News