In a significant development for labor rights in the Calabarzon region of the Philippines, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has greenlit a wage increase benefiting over 233,000 domestic workers. According to the Department of Labor Employment (DOLE), the approved PHP1,000 salary bump is slated to come into effect on Feb. 19, with the order’s publication marking the countdown.
Wage Order No. RB-IVA-DW-04, given the nod on Jan. 22 and officially made public on Feb. 3, outlines the revised monthly minimum wage rates tailored for domestic workers under the live-in arrangement. For cities and first-class municipalities, the new minimum stands at PHP6,000, while other municipalities will observe a minimum of PHP5,000.
Among the multitude of beneficiaries, comprising a whopping 233,909 domestic workers, approximately 28 percent opt for the “stay-in” arrangement, translating to 65,408 individuals set to gain from this progressive wage adjustment.
This wage hike marks a notable stride in addressing the economic welfare of domestic workers, reflecting a concerted effort by authorities to ensure fair compensation and dignified livelihoods. The initiative follows the last wage order for domestic workers in the region, dated June 15, 2022, which came into effect on July 15, 2022, underscoring a commitment to periodic reassessment and adaptation in line with prevailing economic conditions and labor dynamics.
