Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has given business owners in Divisoria until next month to settle labor issues with their workers, otherwise face charges for violation of the law.
Particularly, Moreno ordered tenants of malls in the area in a recent dialogue at the Manila City Hall to ensure that their salespersons are getting minimum wage and government-mandated benefits.
“Under the law you are required (to give them minimum wage and benefits). We’re clear that after this talk, implementation of rules,” Moreno told several business owners who met with him Monday.
“I will give you three weeks, the whole of January. Go on and register your employees as members of SSS [Social Security System], PAG-IBIG and PhilHealth. Pay ample amount,” he added.
Moreno’s order came following several claims that sales personnel of several stores in Divisoria are only receiving P180 to not more than P300 daily wage. Under the law, the supposed minimum daily wage for workers in Metro Manila is P537.
In response, the business owners also lodged their issues with their workers, including the abusive and dishonest ones and those who keep using their cellular phones or stealing from them.
But Moreno advised to “just fire them.”
“If you’re going to say that they deserve P180 or P300 because of it, then you’re wrong. Don’t make it as an excuse. If you have incompetent employees, fire them. You have to put discipline to your business,” he said.
He also encouraged the business owners to document the abuse that their workers are committing for their protection should the latter complain at the labor department. (Joseph Pedrajas)
