The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced a Php 1,500 increase in the salary of household workers starting January 2020. A wage order signed by Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-NCR) mandates a minimum wage increase from Php 3,500 to Php 5,000.
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“The wages of the domestic workers shall be paid in cash at least once a month. No deductions shall be made other than those mandated by law,” the RTWPB-NCR said. No exceptions to the wage order will be permitted.
It applies to general household help, yayas, cooks, gardeners, laundry people, and any person regularly performing domestic work in one household on an occupational basis. It does not apply to service providers, family drivers, children under foster family arrangements, or any person performing domestic work on an occasional basis.
Employers are also mandated to provide basic necessities like humane sleeping arrangements, medical assistance, and 3 full meals a day. Withholding any of these as punishment or removing benefits in exchange for them is expressly prohibited.
Private employment agencies that provide the services of domestic workers are to bear the additional cost of the salary increase. Should clients fail to pay the wage increase both they and employment agencies will be jointly liable for the violation. Complaints of non-compliance may be filed with the regional DOLE office. Fines of Php 10,000 to Php 40,000 may be applied to violators.
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