Wage board hikes ‘kasambahay’ minimum pay in NCR

By: Tina G. Santos – Reporter, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Dec 01, 2017

Household service workers in the National Capital Region (NCR) will soon be receiving a P1,000 increase in wage.

In a wage order published Friday by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board NCR, the new monthly minimum wage for domestic workers or “kasambahay” in Metro Manila increased from P2,500 to P3,500.

“Whereas, after review and evaluation of the existing socio-economic conditions and based on public consultations/hearings, studies and deliberation conducted, the Board agreed to provide for wage adjustments for domestic workers with immediate relief measures to manage with the rising cost of living,” the order read.

The new wage order shall apply to all domestic workers, whether on a live-in or live out arrangement , such as bit not limited to general househelp, “yaya,” cook, gardener, laundry person, or any person who regularly performs domestic work in one household on an occupational basis.

However, the wage order does not cover service providers, family drivers, children under foster family arrangement, and any other person who performs work occasionally or sporadically and not on occupational basis.

The wage order, which was approved Nov. 20, shall take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.