CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) –- Around 233,000 domestic workers can expect higher minimum wage this month after the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) IV-A approved an increase in minimum wages for kasambahays or household service workers  in Calabarzon.

The wage board announced that starting February 19, 2024, workers will receive a monthly increase of P1,000 on top of their current rate under Wage Order No. RB-IVA-DW-04.

With the wage order, the new minimum rates in Calabarzon will now range between P6,000 for highly-urbanized and component cities and first-class municipalities, to P5,000 for second to fifth-class municipalities.

The new wage order applies to all domestic workers, whether on a live-in or live-out arrangement, such as general house helpers, nannies, cooks, gardeners, laundry persons, and any employee who regularly performs domestic work in one household on an occupational basis.

According to RTWPB IV-A, the increase in the minimum wage resulted from a series of consultations and public hearings considering the needs of the domestic workers and their families, the employer's capacity to pay a living wage, and the existing socio-economic conditions in the region.

“The Board, comprised of representatives from the government, management and labor sectors, conducted regional public consultation last 09 January 2024 in San Pedro City, Laguna, regional public hearing on 11 January 2024 in Trece Martires City, Cavite, and wage deliberation on 22 January 2024,” RTWPB IV-A said in a press statement. 

For Aida Asuncion, a housekeeper from Calauan, Laguna, the wage increase is crucial for covering her family's daily expenses, considering that her children are studying. However, she acknowledges that, due to the ongoing rise in commodity prices, the additional income is still insufficient to meet their needs.

"The increase in salary will support my children's school allowance and help me with daily household expenses," Asuncion said.

She added: "But I will admit that the wage is still insufficient, so I am asking for a more favorable increase now that commodity prices are rising.”

Meanwhile, RTWPB  will undertake information campaigns to ensure employers' compliance with the new wage order. 

The last wage order for domestic workers in the region was issued on June 15, 2022. (AM, PIA 4A)