Senate gives P100 minimum wage hike bill final nod

The Senate approved Monday on third and final reading a bill increasing the daily minimum wage of workers in the private sector by P100.

Senate Bill 2534  or “An Act Providing for a 100 Pesos Daily Minimum Wage Increase for Employees and Workers in the Private Sector" garnered 20 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and zero abstention.

Not present at session hall during the voting were Senators Lito Lapid, Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, and Mark Villar.

Before the bill was approved on third reading, Senator Francis Escudero clarified that the proposed measure will not affect Republic Act No. 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act nor RA 9178 or the Barangay Micro-Business Enterprise Act.

The wage hike likewise excludes establishments with less than 10 employees, establishments utilizing a capital of P3 million and below, and establishments registered under RA 9178.

The measure was the product of several bills seeking minimum wage hike, including Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri's version which sought a P150 across the board increase in the minimum salary of workers in the private sector.

The current daily minimum wage in the National Capital Region is at P610.

Last year, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board issued wage orders for increases in the minimum wage of employees in Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Central Visayas, among others.

At least two groups have expressed opposition to the measure and warned of negative effects on inflation and in the private sector.

The Department of Labor and Employment also warned that the proposed P100 wage hike in the private sector might create difficulties for some businesses, particularly in the category of micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Even the economists in the House of Representatives have also raised doubts about bills seeking a legislated wage hike.

Solons said this will result in higher prices of goods and services, and the shutdown of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).—AOL, GMA Integrated News