WITH the new wage increase in Davao region, micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners consider the hike as a challenge in growing small-scale businesses.
“Medyo lisud para sa amoa jud gamay kay gamay ra man pud ang capital na kinahanglan unya naa puy pagtaas sa wage (It is quite difficult for us since we only need a small capital and then there’s this increase in the wage),” clothing line SME business owner Jen Nicolo said during an interview on Friday, August 17, at the Mindanao Trade Expo in Abreeza Mall, Davao City.
But for textile owner Radzhata Anni, business owners like her should also meet the changing demands in order to maintain the welfare of their workers.
“Oo, makakaapekto siya pero kailangan rin isipin rin ang kapakanan ng mga workers para sa ikakabuti rin ng business (Yes, it would definitely affect us but also we must consider the welfare of the workers for the betterment of the business),” Anni said.
Anni added workers and business owners should also keep a good working relationship to come up with a successful business outcome.
For food manufacturing business owner, Nancy Bilong, the government must also consider empowering SMEs like hers to keep up with the wage increase.
In June 2018, the new wage order of P56 increase was signed and approved by the members of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Davao.
The P56 wage increase is composed of two tranches. The first tranche gives a P30 increase, and was effective on August 16, 2018 while the second tranche adds a P26 increase which will be effective on February 16, 2019. (GAD)