June 5, 2018 – WHO’S AFRAID OF MINIMUM WAGES? European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines said foreign investors are more concerned about “red tape” in the country rather than increasing the daily minimum wage. [Read more]

Published by rudy Date posted on June 5, 2018

By: Anthony Q. Esguerra – Reporter / @AEsguerraINQ INQUIRER.net, Jun 05, 2018

European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen on Tuesday said foreign investors are more concerned about “red tape” in the country rather than increasing the daily minimum wage.

“If we look at the European companies, I would expect that you would struggle to find companies that are paying only the minimum wage, most of them would be paying more,” Jessen told reporters at the sidelines of the Labor Standards and Trade Forum in Makati City.

“Exactly because what they are after here is not a low cost labor but is actually a labor that has a certain quality that perform quite complex task,” he added.

Labor groups have called for a P750 nationwide daily minimum wage to help the workers cope with rising prices of fuel and basic goods.

According to Jessen, foreign investors are more worried about red tape and the complex system of business licensing in the country.

“In the context of the European Chamber, they don’t talk about the minimum wage.” he said. “It is other issues that they focus on such as red tape, complex system of licensing.”

He added that investors have also repeatedly complained about 60-40 percent foreign ownership rule stipulated in the Philippine Constitution.

Trade and labor experts stressed the importance of attaining quality labor standards and decent work at the forum organized by the EU delegation in the Philippines and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

“Promoting international labor standards is about respecting labor rights and human rights,” ILO country director Khalid Hassan. “Inequality not only affects productivity and competitiveness, but also brings instability.” /vvp

April 2025

World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”

Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos

Time to support & empower survivors. Time to spark a global conversation. Time for #GenerationEquality to #orangetheworld!

Monthly Observances:

March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth

Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week

Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Trade Union Solidarity Campaigns

No to Trafficking

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

Categories