Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Director Dominique Rubia-Tutay bared Monday, February 8 hee support for the wage subsidy provision under the proposed "Bayanihan to Arise As One Act" or Bayanihan 3 bill.
Filed by House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, the P420-billion stimulus package includes a P52-billion allocation for wage subsidy that would be given to small businesses reeling from the effect of the pandemic.
"Of course we do support kasi kami nga, wage subsidy, like 25 to 30 percent of the prevailing minimum wage yung aming pinu-push (Of course we do support it, we ourselves have been pushing for a wage subsidy worth 25 to 30 percent of the prevailing minimum wage)," said Tutay, head of the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), during a virtual press briefing.
"But any amount that will help people spend will be of great help," she noted.
DoLE officials are expected to be summoned by the House of Representatives to get their opinion once House Bill (HB) No. 8628 or Bayanihan 3 gets tabled for discussion.
Asked how much wage subsidy DoLE would propose, the BLE chief said: "Our original proposal in 2020 (during discussions on the 2021 national budget) was about P40 billion." The labor department's wage subsidy pitch was ultimately shelved due to lack of funds.
If it comes to fruition, then the wage subsidy would help improve the country’s labor situation, Tutay said.
"Based on the data that we have, marami pa ring undergoing flexible work arrangements and temporary closure. Eto ho yung gusto nating ma-improve yung kanilang pagnenegosyo...hirap na po talaga silang bumangon (many businesses are still undergoing flexible work arrangements with their employees or are temporarily closed. We want to improve their state of business...they are struggling to get back on their feet)," she pointed out.
Unemployment rate surged to 17.6 percent in April 2020 or at the height of the pandemic-triggered lockdown.