Wage hike looms for domestic helpers in NCR

FILE: Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III, in a press briefing for the Philippine media delegation at the Orchard Hotel in Singapore on April 27, 2018. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — Domestic household workers (kasambahays) in Metro Manila may get an increase in their salaries soon.

“The regional tripartite wage board here in Metro Manila submitted a wage adjustment of I think PHP1,500,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a press conference on Tuesday.

Once implemented, the wage for domestic workers will be PHP5,000.

“So originally, it was PHP3,500 for our kasambahays in Metro Manila. It is now PHP5,000 for our kasambahays,” the DOLE chief added.

He said they expect the approval of the wage adjustment to be out soon.

“Last November 8, a meeting was held. I think it should be due now. Lalabas na iyon (decision) kasi umabot na ‘yung anniversary nila (The decision will be out soon because the salary adjustment already reached its anniversary). So, anytime lalabas na iyan (it will be released),” Bello added.

“It was approved by the wage board regional but the final approval would be the National Wages and Productivity Commission. Within this week, the regional wage board will act on it,” he said.

Bello also reminded kasambahays that they entitled to all social benefits such as Social Security System, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG.

In December 2017, the NCR Wage Board approved a PHP1,000 increase in salary for domestic workers to raise the minimum monthly salary of domestic workers to PHP3,500.

Under Republic Act 10361 or the Domestic Workers Act, the minimum monthly salary of the domestic workers in the NCR was set at PHP2,500 per month.

The “Batas Kasambahay” is a landmark legislation that recognizes the rights and benefits of household helpers similar to those workers in the formal sector.