The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) clarified that it neither supports nor opposes the proposed wage hike law, emphasizing that its role is solely to implement legislation.
In a Daily Tribune report, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma reiterated that the department does not take a position on lawmakers’ proposals.
“It is not DOLE’s job to react to legislative measures. If there are concerns, we are here to assist,” Laguesma said in Filipino.
His statement follows House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s recent push for a bill mandating a P200 daily wage increase for private sector workers. If passed, the law would require all private businesses, regardless of size, to implement the wage hike.
Non-compliance could result in penalties ranging from P50,000 to P100,000 or up to four years of imprisonment.
