BACOLOD CITY – The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has approved a P500 salary increase for domestic workers or “kasambahays” in Western Visayas.
“The computation of the labor sector showed the amount to be restored is P598 per month, so the P500 increase is fair enough,” said RTWPB labor representative Wennie Sancho on Tuesday.
Sancho said the initial P1,000 wage increase proposed previously was too high.
“We have yet to sign the final copy of Wage Order No. 3 which will take effect 15 days after publication,” he said.
Wage Order No. 2, which lapsed last December 8, prescribed a minimum wage rate of P3,500 per month for domestic workers in the region.
The salary of domestic workers in cities and first-class municipalities increased by P1,000 per month, and those in other towns, P1,500 as provided in Wage Order No. 2.
Sancho said that for the labor sector, the salary increase will enhance the purchasing power of the domestic workers in the region.
“It would somehow provide an economic relief to these workers,” he added.
With the approved increase, all household workers in Western Visayas will be entitled to get a monthly wage of up to P4,500.
The order also removed the “kasambahays” classification and the household workers will all be receiving the same wage rate whether they are working in cities or different classes of municipalities.(With a report from PNA/PN)
