DOLE defends P40 NCR wage hike, says employers’ capacity must be considered

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday defended the P40 daily minimum wage hike in Metro Manila, saying it took into consideration the capacity of employers, particularly small businesses, to afford the increase.

DOLE National Wages and Productivity Commission executive director Criselda Sy said that while they respect the sentiments of some labor groups who find the P40 increase insufficient, there are other factors aside from the workers’ needs that have to be assessed before the government gives in to their plea.

“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 told Unang Balita.

(One of the criteria for minimum wage determination is the needs of workers and their families. We are also looking at their demand for a living wage. However, we need to exercise this relative to the ability of employers to provide additional wages and the overall condition of our economic development.)

Metro Manila's Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) increased last month the daily minimum wage for non-agriculture and agriculture sector workers in the region by P40.

However, the Federation of Free Workers argued that the increment “falls significantly short of the more than P100 wage recovery” that the labor force had been anticipating, considering the rising cost of living in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Partido Manggagawa, meanwhile, also aired their disappointment, saying “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.”

Sy said that while DOLE wants a higher income for all Filipinos, this is not an easy decision for 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.

(It is very difficult for our regional boards to weigh all of this and balance whatever they think is appropriate so that we can meet the wage increase demands of our citizens, especially our minimum wage earners.)

Sy said that four regions currently have pending wage hike petitions under review by various RTWPBs. —KBK, GMA Integrated News