By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Admitting that alien employment permits (AEPs) were no longer issued to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) firms following a Senate investigation into their alleged involvement in illegal activities in 2023, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on Wednesday (08 May 2024) revealed that their agency has already given around 8,000 AEPs to foreign workers employed in licensed internet gaming operators in the country for this year.

It can be recalled that the DOLE-NCR earlier announced it would stop issuing AEPs to foreign workers employed in POGO hubs, but it would only accept applications from employees for internet gaming licenses.

“Nagbibigay pa rin po. In fact, itong nakaraang January to April, may na-issuehan na at least 8,000, pero ito ay internet gaming license permits, hindi ito POGO,” Laguesma clarified during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum held at Cafe Adriatico in Malate district.

He explained that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) did some “cleansing”.

“Nilinis ng PAGCOR ang kanilang regulation. From POGO, nagkaroon ng transition sa internet gaming licenses… Naging strikto ang pagpapatupad, wala nang tatanggapin na POGO applicant,” Laguesma said.

He added: “Tuloy pa rin ang pagbibigay subalit mas mahigpit ang requirements. Also, wala na pong workers sa internet gaming licenses na work from home, dapat onsite para closely ma-monitor sila.”

(el Amigo/MNM)

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)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — No less than Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on Tuesday (12 Feb 2024) rejected a proposed P100 legislated minimum wage increase, saying it could lead to a 15 to 25 percent increase in employee costs especially for small companies.

The DOLE chief noted that the previous round of wage hikes implemented by Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) showed minimal impact on employment levels.

“Meron ding mga nawalan ng hanapbuhay pero hindi naman ganon karami at kayang mabigyan ng paggabay para makabalik ‘yung mga manggagawang napinsala,” Laguesma said in his TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

He pointed out that any talk of a wage hike sets off an inflationary chain reaction starting with increases in transportation costs.

“Sa dakong huli maaari ‘yung karagdagang purchasing power ay baka ma-erode pa. Imbes na maging stable, baka maaaring magkaroon ng adverse na epekto,” Laguesma further said.

He also cautioned that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the countryside could also have a harder time attracting investors if wages are too high.

Meanwhile, Albay 2nd district Representative Joey Salceda and Marikina City 2nd district Rep. Stella Alabastro-Quimbo said allowing foreign capital ownership in vital industries by amending the 1987 Constitution will address this lack of funding for a legislated wage hike.

Salceda said foreign enterprises give wages that are 74% higher than that of Filipino companies while Quimbo maintained that increasing the minimum wage is only possible if there is a productivity increase with the entry of foreign firms.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Instead of telling business owners to minimize their greed for profit, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on Saturday (10 Feb 2024) said the proposed P100 minimum wage hike in the private sector might be difficult to implement.

Laguesma justified his “pro-capitalist” stance, saying that many businesses will not be able to sustain the P100 increase.

“Medyo may kabigatan po. Dahil out of more or less one million na registered existing businesses sa atin, mahigit 900,000 nasa kategorya ng micro, small, and medium enterprises,” the DOLE chief said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

Laguesma noted that the P100 proposal would result in an additional 15 to 25 percent increase in each employee’s salary, excluding wage-related benefits, citing data from the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).

The DOLE chief added that there was a need for the department to look at how to preserve employment, as well as to continue to create additional jobs to sustain the employment level.

“Kasi po kapag nakikita namin na ang mga hanapbuhay ay higit kaysa doon sa mga naghahanap ng hanapbuhay, puwedeng maglaro ‘yung tinatawag natin na market forces,” Laguesma said.

He further said that if a business wants to attract workers, it has to go along with the benefits workers are looking for and will be provided for them.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

Achieving the labor and employment agenda of the government is not only the responsibility of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), it is a duty shared by its social partners, including the Local Government Units (LGUs) through their respective Public Employment Service Offices(PESOs), Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said Friday.

“Ang responsibilidad upang isakatuparan ang mga layunin ng Philippine Labor and Employment Plan at ang Trabaho para sa Bayan Act ay hindi lamang responsibilidad ng DOLE. Ito ay sama-samang ibinabahagi sa ating mga social partner, lalo na sa ating mga PESO,” Laguesma said at the 23rd National PESO Congress.

“Ang mga hamon na kinakaharap natin sa ating trabaho ay nangangailangan ng sama-samang pagkilos at mga makabagong solusyon,” he added.

The DOLE chief also emphasized the need for open and fruitful dialogue with PESO managers across the country as he unveiled a five-point agenda for transformative public employment services.

These include the establishment of PESOs in local governments as institutions, comprehensive capacity development of officials and staff, strengthening of key functions and collaboration with employers and educational institutions, and digitalization of public services.

(ai/mnm)