The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Monday vowed to discuss with other government agencies a proposal by a labor group to provide wage subsidy to workers.

“This is the first time I learned that there is a request from a labor group for a subsidy from government,” Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a virtual forum.

Bello said he will discuss matter with the Department of Finance (DOF), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“Now assuming that a formal request will be sent to us, we will have to discuss with the Department of Finance, NEDA, DTI and find out how we can address this request,” he said.

He added that the suggestion would also depend on the capacity of the government to give wage subsidy.

“Because in a way, what I already said it’s a good option instead for asking a salary increase or adjustment they came up with this new concept of getting subsidy from the government. But again, it all depends on the capacity of the government to consider giving this subsidy to our workers,” he said.

Bello said that though wage subsidy is a good suggestion, “there should be a thorough study on this” to determine whether the government has the resources to grant the request.

Earlier, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) called on the government to provide an immediate subsidy for workers to help them survive amid the massive economic contraction of the Philippine economy.

“We have long been urging the government to get ahead of the recession and put into place wage subsidies for those who are struggling to stay afloat,” said TUCP President Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza.

Democrito said wage subsidy is “urgently needed” since the economy has yet to recover from the impact of the lockdowns imposed to contain the coronavirus last year. (PNA)