Metro Manila domestic workers get minimum wage hike

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has increased the monthly minimum wage of domestic workers or kasambahay in the National Capital Region (NCR) by P1,000 or from P2,500 to P3,500.

In Wage Order NCR-DW-01, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-NCR said the order applies to all domestic workers “whether on a live-in or live-out arrangement such us but not limited to general househelp, yaya, cook, gardener, laundry person or any person who regularly performs domestic work in one household on an occupational basis.”

The order does not cover service providers, family drivers, children under a foster family arrangement and “any other person who  performs work occasionally or sporadically and not on an occupational basis.”

“The wages of the domestic workers shall be paid in cash at least once a month. No deductions shall be made other than those mandated by law,” the board noted. 

For those contracting domestic services through licensed private employment agencies, the order stipulates that the “wage rate prescribed in the order shall be borne by the principal or clients of the agencies.”

“In the event that the principals or clients fail to pay the prescribed wage rate, the private employment agencies shall be jointly and severally liable with his principal or client,” the board added. 

Under the order, violators would be fined P10,000 to P40,000 and could face charges from “the aggrieved party.”

Employers are also mandated to provide domestic workers’ basic necessities, including three “adequate meals a day and humane sleeping arrangements to guarantee their health and safety. “

Employers  shall also provide for appropriate “rest and medical assistance” in case of illness and injuries sustained by the domestic workers without loss of benefits.

Under the order, the employer is barred from withholding these basic necessities to punish the worker.

The order shall take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.