MAP Wants Consultations on Legislated Wage Hike

The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) is pushing for the conduct of further consultations on the proposed P200 daily minimum wage increase to properly assess its impact on the economy.

- Janvic Mateo, Neil Jayson Servallos

In a statement signed by MAP president Alfredo Panlilio and national issues committee chair Rene Almendras on Sunday, the business group emphasized that while it supports initiatives aimed at improving the lives of minimum wage workers and their families, it opposes the P200 increase in the daily minimum wage for the private sector.

"Since setting a minimum wage is a very complex process where many factors have to be taken into account, we call on the bicameral conference committee of the House and the Senate to conduct further consultations with all affected sectors, like employers, employees, consumers and involved agencies, before reaching a decision," MAP stated.

The group also urged the bicameral committee to carefully consider the potential effects of the measure on inflation and businesses, particularly small enterprises that are still struggling to survive.

Moreover, MAP recommended conducting comprehensive studies to determine whether a national or regional minimum wage structure would be more appropriate.