Domestic workers in W. Visayas, Davao region get wage hike

MANILA — Domestic workers in Western Visayas and Davao Region are in for an early Christmas gift.

This, as the wage boards of the two regions approved an increase in their wages which will take effect on Saturday, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.

Based on the wage order approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Region VI, household workers will be receiving an increase ranging from PHP1,000 to PHP1,500 depending on their area.

For those who are working in cities and first class municipalities in the said region, domestic workers are entitled to receive an additional PHP1,000, raising the workers’ monthly income to PHP3,500.

If the worker is from other municipalities, he/she will have an increase of PHP1,500. With the salary adjustment they will be getting PHP3,500 per month.

The order covers the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo includibg their respective component cities and the highly urbanized city of Iloilo.

On the other hand, the RTWPB in Region11 has approved the new monthly minimum wage rates from PHP500 to PHP1,000 for domestic workers there.

The said employees will be receiving PHP3,000 for chartered cities and first class municipalities after an increase of PHP1,000 is added to the existing wage rate of PHP2,000.

On the other hand, PHP500 will be added to the existing wage rate of PHP1,500 for other municipalities, raising the new monthly income of said workers to PHP2,000.

Covered by the order are the Cities of Davao, Digos, Island Garden City of Samal, Tagum, Panabo, Mati and the provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

The prescribed wage rates under this wage order shall apply to all domestic workers, whether in a live-in or live-out arrangement, such as, but not limited to: a) general househelp; b) yaya; c) cook; d) gardener; e) laundry person; and d) any person who regularly performs domestic work in one household on an occupational basis.

Those who are not covered by the wage adjustment are the following: a) service providers; b) family drivers; c) children under foster family arrangement and; d) any other person who performs work occasionally or sporadically and not on an occupational basis.