BACOLOD City – The Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) is voicing opposition to a proposed wage hike for private employees in Western Visayas, arguing that it could exacerbate current economic issues.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) chaired by Atty. Sixto Rodriguez Jr., director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6, plans to hold public consultations on September 17 in Roxas City, Capiz, and September 23 in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer (CEO) of MBCCI, criticized the government’s approach, stating, “Our government is barking up the wrong tree. They are pursuing the wrong course of action to the present economic problems besetting the country.”
Carbon pointed to high costs of basic food items, power, and bank lending rates; lack of jobs; and minimal investment from both local and foreign sources as pressing issues.
Increasing wages now, according to Carbon, would be counterproductive, potentially leading to higher food prices, job rotation or losses, and a dampened enthusiasm among local and foreign investors.
“Our labor and power costs are already among the highest in Asia,” he claimed.
He suggested that the government should instead focus on boosting local food production to reduce costs and avoid reliance on imports.
Carbon proposed, “If we could reduce food cost by 20 percent, from P50 per kilo of rice to P40, there would be more money available for non-food spending, which could help revive and prosper the non-food business sector currently struggling in local markets.”/PN
