DOLE vows to conform with Congress action on calls for legislated wage increase
By Trixee Rosel
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has committed to conform with any legislation that the Congress would enact in relation to the calls for across-the-board legislated wage increase for workers nationwide.
In a statement, DOLE said its role and responsibility is to ensure that changes in the minimum wage adjustments are implemented through the wage system authorized by Congress.
It said technical inputs in support of legislation have been submitted to Congress, which has reaffirmed its exclusive authority to pass laws.
“The DOLE is not in a position to restrict the exercise of this power, much less reject it,” the department statement read.
“Should Congress decide to amend or repeal Republic Act (RA) No. 6727 (Wage Rationalization Act), the DOLE’s duty will be to implement the law no matter how hard that will be,” it added.
Several bills have been filed in the Senate and the House of Representatives to amend RA 6727 to increase private sector salaries by varied amounts ranging from P100 to P750.
Under the current system, the DOLE noted that Congress has authorized the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) to set and modify minimum wages at the regional level, involving input from representatives of workers and employers.
The method is overseen by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), an agency attached to DOLE.