ILOILO City – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is planning to increase the minimum wage of house helpers, or kasambahays, in Region 6.
Two public consultations that will be attended by employers, house helpers and other stakeholders have been set regarding the proposal, said DOLE regional director Cyril Ticao.
These consultations were scheduled on Feb. 26 in Iloilo City and Feb. 28 in Bacolod City.
A kasambahay refers to “any person engaged in domestic work within an employment relationship such as, but not limited to, the following – general househelp, nursemaid or yaya, cook, gardener, or laundry person, but shall exclude any person who performs domestic work only occasionally or sporadically and not on an occupational basis,” according to Republic Act 10361, or the “Batas Kasambahay.”
House helpers in Western Visayas receive a monthly salary of P3,500, based on the wage order that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board issued in December 2017.
Ticao has yet to give the exact amount of the increase.
He added that conducting the public consultations is a motu propio initiative of DOLE Region 6 since no petition had been filed by house helpers.
According to the regional Labor chief, the wage increase may take effect before Labor Day.
“Mahingagaw siguro before May 1,” Ticao told reporters.
Before the wage order issued in December 2017, house helpers in cities and first-class municipalities receive a P2,500 monthly salary.
Those in other areas, meanwhile, receive a P2,000 monthly pay.
The wage order also entitles house helpers of benefits like membership in the Social Security System, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG.
Despite this, Ticao said many house helpers in the region were still not paid accordingly.
“Dapat ang mga homeowner hatagan nila sang insakto nga minimum wage ang mga kasambahay,” added Ticao.
He also encouraged house helpers who are not properly compensated to report to their office for appropriate action./PN
