BACOLOD City – A local business group in this city is against the proposed P150 across-the-board wage increase for workers in the private sector and agriculture industry.
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), said in a radio interview yesterday morning that Congress is considering a P150 wage hike for all employees.
The local wage board in Western Visayas is also calling for an increase.
Carbon said if Congress proceeds with the proposal and approves the request of the local board, the wage increase could reach as much as P250.
The MBCCI head said it would affect other benefits of the employees, such as the Social Security System contribution.
Carbon said employers are already struggling with inflation and oil price hikes, among others.
In March this year, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri filed Senate Bill No. 2002, or the Across-the-Board Wage Increase Act of 2023.
The bill aims to increase wages nationwide by P150.
A separate bill in the House of Representatives was also filed by House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro, House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas and Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel, proposing a P750 daily wage increase.
According to IBON Foundation, the nominal minimum wage rate in Western Visayas as of May 2023 is P450 per day, while the living wage for a family of five is P976 per day. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
