00:00Petitions are now being heard for an increase in the minimum wage in Metro Manila.
00:05Sandra Aguinaldo was there.
00:10It is possible that the announcement for an increase in the daily minimum wage in Metro Manila will not reach a month.
00:17Earlier, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board heard the arguments of workers and employers
00:25on whether or not to increase the salary.
00:29A group is asking for an increase of P150.
00:33There is also P597 and P750.
00:39On July 16, 2023, the latest increase in the minimum wage in Metro Manila
00:45is currently at P610 or P573 depending on the sector.
00:51Only P40 was added then, which is still not enough and does not coincide with the growth of the business.
00:58The salary is not enough to support them in poverty.
01:03The net salary of a minimum wage earner in NCAT is even lower than the poverty threshold.
01:11That is the lowest requirement.
01:14The minimum wage of workers is not enough to continue to increase the price of basic necessities.
01:22Even if it increases, it will only increase in quantity.
01:26The Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines, or CONWEP, understands this.
01:31But their sector is also having a hard time.
01:34They are asking for an increase in the salary within a year.
01:38In exports, at this time, at this year, orders have already entered.
01:44It is already being done in factories.
01:46Estimating the production in factories is based on the current wage,
01:52on the current competition of costs.
01:55If we adjust here, it will really have an effect on our companies.
02:02The Employers' Confederation of the Philippines is aware that if the wage hike is too high,
02:07foreign investors may be left behind because the expenses in business will be high.
02:13This will cause a wage distortion.
02:17Our informal sector will be affected.
02:21Street vendors, including sari-sari stores who sell goods and services on the streets
02:26or move from place to place, sell their products.
02:29This would be affected.
02:31Home-based workers will be affected.
02:34We are trying to survive and compete with other ASEAN countries.
02:38So, to my colleagues, be careful.
02:43Don't go for P750.
02:47The amount needed to restore, based on economic parameters or inflation,
02:52sorry to say, it is just P16 on the P610 and P15 on the P573.
03:02The Wage Board promised to consider all aspects of the decision before July 16.
03:09And now, we saw their presentation.
03:12We will have a decision based on all inputs and concerns, comments of all sectors.
03:20Yes, it's very difficult.
03:22As I said, our discussion will be long.
03:27All the deliberations of the Wage Board have added benefits.
03:34Of course, they say it's small, it's not enough.
03:38But the bottom line is that there are benefits.
03:40For GMA Integrated News, Sandra Aguinaldo, for Tutok 24 Horas.
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