By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Unthinkable but Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma tends to sympathize with Filipino capitalists than the working class.

On Wednesday (21 Feb 2024), Laguesma said the proposed P100 wage hike for minimum wage earners could lead to wage distortion.

“Ang chain reaction ng mga karagdagang sweldo, umaabot kahit na hanggang sa managerial level,” the DOLE chief explained in an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

He added that over 8 million workers could indirectly benefit from an increase in minimum wage.

“Kung ang sweldo ay maabutan batay sa correction nung distortion ay pwede kayong makipag-usap sa management, dahil yung sweldo ay inabutan na ng mas junior sa akin, mas konti ang responsibilidad,” Laguesma noted.

The Senate on Monday (19 February 2024) passed on third reading Senate Bill No. 2534, which seeks a P100 daily minimum wage increase for employees and workers in the private sector.

Twenty senators voted in favor, with zero negative vote and no abstentions.

(el Amigo/MNM)