LAWMAKERS should strike a balance to ensure that businesses will not be adversely affected with the passage of the legislated P200 daily minimum wage increase, Sen. Jose Victor Ejercito told a forum in Manila on Thursday.
He said he wants to first consult with the business sector if they can afford the P200 daily wage increase passed on Wednesday by the House of Representatives in its version of the legislated wage increase.
In February 2024, the Senate passed its own version — Senate Bill No. 2534 — which seeks a legislated wage increase of P100 a day.
“I want to get the figures and the position of the employers and the business sector. I want to know if they can afford it. If they can afford P200, why not,” Ejercito said in Filipino.
He added, however, if they cannot afford the proposed P200 wage hike, then “we need to strike a balance as to what can be given and as to what can be afforded.”
“We can’t give it if it means that businesses will die and the jobs will be lost,” he said. “We need to find that sweet spot which is very difficult.”
