MANILA – Starting December 16, 2017, all domestic workers or kasambahay in Metro Manila must be paid a monthly minimum wage of P3,500 a month, up from the previous mandatory rate of P2,500, the Department of Labor and Employment said.
The DOLE made the announcement after the Wage Board for the National Capital Region issued WAGE ORDER NO. NCR-DW-01, which Provides for a New Monthly Minimum Wage for Domestic Workers/Kasambahay in the National Capital Region. The order mandates an additional One Thousand Pesos (P1,000) from the current Two Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (P2,500), for a total of Three Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (P3,500) as the new monthly minimum wage for Domestic Workers in NCR.
DOLE said the issuance was based on the collegial decision of the Board after conducting a thorough wage review on the socio-economic conditions of the region, needs of domestic workers and their families, prevailing wage rates, capacity of the employers to pay, including those relevant data affecting the interests of both employers and domestic workers. Public consultations and hearings were also conducted in NCR to ensure that all their concerns and insights are considered, DOLE said.
The review was mandated by RA 10361, otherwise known as the Batas Kasambahay, which mandates the regional tripartite wage and productivity boards to revisit annually the wage rates of domestic workers.
The new Order shall apply to all Domestic Workers/Kasambahay, whether on a live-in or live-out arrangement and such does not allow any exemption.
It covers: general househelp, yaya, cooks, gardeners, laundry person, or any other person regularly performing domestic work in one household on an occupational basis.
The order excludes: service providers, family drivers, children under foster family arrangement, and persons performing work occasionally or sporadically.
The order was published on December 1, 2017 in the Philippine Star and will be effective on December 16, 2017.
