MANILA  -A trade association of retailers has warned against another round of wage hikes, saying tens of thousands of people could be laid off should lawmakers force the issue through legislation. Roberto Claudio Sr., president of Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), estimates that about 10 percent of the 500,000 workers in the local sector will be at risk as micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) may not be able to afford a wage hike. 'If you raise the minimum wage, there will be more people who will lose jobs because most of the businesses, if they have to comply with higher wages, will simply reduce employment,' Claudio told reporters on the sidelines of the 29th National Retail Conference and Expo at SMX Convention Center in Pasay last week.

https://business.inquirer.net/415983/retailers-buck-fresh-wage-hike

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