DOLE eyes grant of 3-month wage subsidy for workers

MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it plans to provide a wage subsidy for workers for three months to help them cushion the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay said the wage subsidy to be provided will depend on the average wage of the employees.

“We based the budget proposal on the average wage of the workers in different sectors…it is between PHP7,000 to PHP11,000 subsidy and it will run for three months,” she said during a virtual presser.

Tutay added that the lowest amount they would need from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the program is PHP62 billion, with 25 percent of the average wage to be subsidized.

“So if it will run for three months and let us say we will shoulder 25 percent of the average wage, PHP62 billion the lowest we will request,” she said.

Tutay added that the highest budget will be over PHP180 billion.

“The highest budget will be at PHP188 billion that would cover 75 percent of the monthly average wage rate. Our proposal is subsidizing 25 percent, 50 percent, or subsidizing 75 percent of the average wage rate,” she said.

Earlier, the DOLE said they are looking to assist some 1.6 million workers and around 30,000 establishments particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).