House help in Eastern Visayas to get P4,500 minimum wage hike

TACLOBAN CITY –– The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Eastern Visayas has approved an increase in the daily minimum pay of kasambahays or household helpers in the region.

From the current P2,000, household helpers living in cities and first-class towns in the region are to receive P4,500, while those working in second to sixth class municipalities will receive P4,000.

The wage adjustment for the region’s more than 1,000 household helpers was contained under Wage Order Number 2 approved by the RTWPB-8, chaired by labor regional director Yahya Centi, on November 25.

“This is our way of giving our kasambahays a Christmas gift,” Centi said, adding that they have considered the economic indicators of the region like prices of commodities, among others.

Norma Jaser, 48, who has been working as a household helper for more than three years now in Tacloban City, was grateful for the move to increase their salary.

“Of course, it’s very good news for all of us kasambahays. Our current salary is not enough to help our families,” said Jaser, a mother of two children.

At present, she is receiving P3,500, which is higher than the current P2,000 wage for house helpers.

An employer, who works at the city government of Tacloban, said she agreed with the salary adjustment.

“Let’s give it to them. Nowadays, it’s very difficult to find a kasambahay you can trust. I am okay with the new salary adjustments for our kasambahays,” said the employer who asked not to be named.

She said her household helper has been with her family for 18 years now.

“I trust her. I can ask her to withdraw my money in the bank and she will give the entire money to me,” she said.

The new wage order is being reviewed by the national wage board. Once returned to the RTWPB-8, it will be publicized in a newspaper of regional circulation. It will take effect 15 days after its publication.

Edited by LZB