Philippines government asked to expedite approval of wage subsidies
- Claire Lee
Senatorial candidate Guillermo Eleazar has called for the immediate approval of the Philippine government’s proposal to provide a PHP5,000 (US$97) wage subsidy to around 1 million minimum wage earners to help them cope with rising consumer prices.
“While the economy has been recovering gradually, it will still take time before workers who are hit hard by the pandemic get on their feet again as they are now being affected by the spike in oil prices,” he said in a statement, according to Philippine News Agency.
The wage subsidies will also help stimulate consumer spending, which could help the government in its efforts to revive the economy, said Eleazar.
READ: Philippines trade union asks for minimum wage hike
The Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III had earlier proposed the provision of a wage subsidy worth PHP5,000 to at least 1 million workers in small enterprises who have been hit hard by the pandemic and rising prices.
The National Capital Region-Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board had also filed a second petition asking for a PHP470 (US$9) wage hike, after its initial petition asking for the same amount was rejected.
