Western Visayas house helpers to get wage hike

MANILA, Philippines – House helpers in Western Visayas will get a salary increase.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board has approved a pay hike of P500 for household service workers in the region, which covers Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Guimaras and Iloilo, Salome Siaton, Department of Labor and Employment director for Western Visayas, said yesterday.

Siaton said house helpers in cities and first-class municipalities in the region would receive a minimum monthly pay of P2,500 while those in other municipalities would get P2,000.

She said the wage order only set the minimum wage of domestic workers. She said employers could give their helpers bigger pay if they wish to do so.

“The new wage order aims to provide domestic workers with immediate relief to enable them to cope with the rising cost of living,” Siaton said.

The pay hike will take effect upon the affirmation of the National Wages and Productivity Commission and publication in a newspaper of regional circulation.