Deliberations on the proposed actual wage increase should continue since the P22 hike in the cost of living allowance for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila is not enough, according to Sen. Jinggoy Estrada.

“I share the workers’ sentiment that this COLA is very measly, especially in the face of the unabated jacking up of prices of petroleum as well as food products and basic commodities,” said Estrada, chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment.

“I believe that employers in the country could provide a reasonably higher amount to their workers in additional pay. But more than that, what we should work for is actual increase in their wages, which would be included in the overall computations of their compensation,” he said.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the newly-approved P22 COLA will be implemented after it is published in newspapers.

“Meron pang apela sa National Wages and Productivity Commission pero di mahihinto ang effectivity niyan kahit mag-apela. Yung P22 mas closer sa sinabi ng Bangko Sentral na hindi magiging inflationary, hindi mag-exceed ng P25 ang ibibigay” Baldoz said.

“Base rin yan sa inflation restoration ng what has been eroded especially sa increase noong July 2010,” she added.

Baldoz said the P22 hike was not in the minimum wage to shield employers from “implications” in employees’ benefits.

She explained that there will be “multiplier effects” if the P22 is added to the minimum wage because it will affect overtime, differential, and 13th-month pay of workers.