Christmas came early for domestic workers or “kasambahay” in Metro Manila as the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) formally granted a pay hike amounting to P1,500.
Based on Wage Order No. NCR-DW-02, the new monthly minimum salary rate for domestic workers in Metro Manila would now be pegged at P5,000.
The order will take effect 15 days after it is published in a newspaper of general circulation.
Before its issuance, the monthly floor salary for domestic workers was at P3,500, which took effect in December 2017.
Covered by the new wage order are housemaids, “yaya” or nannies, cooks, gardeners and laundry persons.
However, it excludes service providers, family drivers, children under foster family arrangements and persons who work only occasionally.
The RTWPB said it issued the salary order after it conducted a review of the socioeconomic condition in Metro Manila motu proprio.
“The board agreed to provide for wage adjustments for domestic workers with immediate relief measures to manage the rising cost of living,” it added.
The wage order also resulted from public consultations and hearings involving employers and domestic workers, among others, it said.