Market workers unload goods from a truck in Divisoria, Manila on November 2, 2021. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA — House leaders on Thursday said they were carefully studying the Senate's proposed legislated wage hike, as they refused to give "false hopes" to Filipino laborers.

House econ leaders reject Senate's legislated wage hike proposal

 "The marching orders of the Speaker and the leaders of the House ay gawin ang lahat para maibsan ang hirap ng buhay ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino pero kaakibat doon yung gagawin mo ang totoong mangyayari hindi yung paasa lang," House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin said.

The Senate recently approved on second reading a bill seeking a P100 legislated wage hike. 

"Pinag-aaralan ito kasi di pwedeng bigyan mo ng mataas na sweldo yung mga tao, eh di naman gobyerno ang magpapasweldo eh," Garin said.

Senators downplay fears legislated wage hike to add to inflation

 "Kasi yung panukalang batas na yan while the intention is good, the burden is being passed on sa ating MSMEs," she added.

 She said the House is trying to strike a balance between the plight of workers and employers alike.

"Ang takot natin doon baka yung 10 empleyado, maging 7 na lang. Yun yung medyo dapat nating ibalanse," Garin said.

Last Monday, House economic leaders rejected the Senate's proposal for a legislated wage hike, saying it was "inflationary" and could even backfire on employees.

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