EMPLOYERS’ GROUPS argued before Metro Manila’s wage board in consultations on Wednesday that the hefty increase in daily minimum pay for private sector workers sought by labor groups would hit businesses — especially micro, small- and medium-scale enterprises — hard and will likely cause inflation to spike further.

The National Capital Region Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board held its consultation with the management sector on Wednesday, following the one with labor groups on Monday and ahead of tomorrow’s public hearing for all affected sectors.