P125 daily wage hike not feasible – DOLE

The proposed across-the-board P125 daily wage increase is not feasible because it will have more negative effects on the economy, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.

“While the DOLE shares the view that there should be high and rising living standards for workers and their families, the DOLE cannot support the proposed across-the-board P125 daily wage increase because it will weigh down heavily on the economy through higher prices, loss of jobs, and slower overall economic growth,” Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.

DOLE took the said position in a paper presented in connection with House Bill No. 375, a proposed law seeking to provide a P125 daily across-the-board increase in the salary rates of employees and workers in the private sector. An additional P125 to the current minimum wage of P426 will result in a daily minimum wage of P551 or around US$12.82. ROMMEL C. LONTAYAO, Manila Times