More Metro firms seek exemption from wage hike

Over a hundred “distressed” commercial establishments in Metro Manila are expected to seek exemption from giving their workers daily pay hike, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said yesterday.

An official from the DOLE-National Capital Region (NCR) said they expect a surge in the number of firms seeking exemption from paying the mandated P12 salary hike.

“So far 12 establishments have already filed a formal petition for exemption but we expect the number to increase within two to three weeks before the deadline in filling in Nov. 15,” said the official, who requested anonymity.

In the past, the official said more than 200 firms have sought exemption from paying salary hikes.

He, however, declined to comment when asked whether the number of establishments seeking exemption would exceed last year’s figure.

According to Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) NCR secretary Aida Andres, the firms seeking exemption from the wage hike were ordered to submit financial audited financial statement and other documents to stating their financial losses.

Andres said majority of the establishments that sought exemption are from the manufacturing, retail and services sectors.

Earlier, employers expressed strong opposition to any salary increase, claiming that it is unwarranted.

Employers, particularly from the garments sector, also maintained that they could not afford to give additional pay to their workers since the sector is now a sunset industry.

The NCR wage board ordered companies in Metro Manila to grant P12 increase and integrate the P50 emergency cost of living allowance to the daily take-home pay of workers in the region.    – Mayen Jaymalin