Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on Saturday reaffirmed the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) role in implementing, not opposing, any legislated wage hike amid ongoing discussions in Congress on a proposed P200 across-the-board salary increase.
Speaking in a news forum in Quezon City, Laguesma underscored the government’s system of checks and balances, explaining that it is the legislature’s mandate to craft laws while the executive branch, which includes DOLE, is responsible for enforcement.
“If ever a law is passed, our duty at DOLE is to implement it, regardless of our reservations or reactions… It is not DOLE’s role to block or object to wage hike proposals,” Laguesma said.
His remarks come as lawmakers debate various proposals for wage adjustments, including a previously approved P100-increase by the Senate last year and other bills seeking higher hikes of up to P750.
The DOLE chief likewise highlighted the role of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) in setting minimum wages at the regional level.
He noted the last legislated national wage increase was in 1989, after which the regional wage boards were established to tailor wage adjustments to local economic conditions.
“These boards ensure that minimum wages do not fall below a set floor level, but additional benefits and salaries above the minimum should be negotiated between workers and employers,” Laguesma said.