Philosopher and political economist Adam Smith once said that “Labor was the first price, the original purchase-money that was paid for all things. It was not by gold or by silver, but by labor, that all wealth of the world was originally purchased.” Increasing the minimum wage of workers across the country should be an automatic initiative of every employer. Most often, wage hike is implemented only after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has released an order mandating such increase. This should not be the case. The need to increase salary of either public or private workers has been more pressing than ever before. We are all aware of the soaring prices of fuel and the rising inflation rate. The need is clear and self-explanatory. What usually happens is that many employers are reluctant to increase wage hike not until they see their workers starving. Or not until the DOLE uses its authority to implement such wage increase. The worst scenario is when employers would cheat their workers.

Every now and then we hear of wage increase being ordered by the DOLE. The question is: is the order being implemented? Despite the DOLE order, we know that there are many establishments who are reluctant to abide with the law. Business owners have all the excuses of not complying with the DOLE order. The way an employer treats his or her workers is always a matter of attitude of the heart. A heartless master will never be able to see the need of its servants until he or she becomes selfless. Selfish people would continue to enrich themselves at the expense of the suffering of others. There may be hundreds of DOLE orders mandating establishments to increase wage hike, but if the business owners don't have the capacity to feel the pain and struggle of their poor workers, these government orders are just like dark clouds but without rain.

Both employers and employees must strike a deal that is mutually beneficial for both parties. If a business entity is just concern of amassing profits but is not concern of the welfare of its workers, that business has no right to exist in society. We had talked about it before that if we increase the buying capacity of wage earners, it would boost economic activity in our country. That is a basic economic lesson. If people have money to buy goods and avail of services, they can create a feisty economic activity in the country. But how can they have money if most workers are not paid the right amount for their labor? Business owners need to change the attitude of their heart. When business establishments would take care of the needs of their workers, workers would definitely work with love and loyalty, and both employers and employees would benefit from a mutually caring relationship.