RTWPB approves P500 wage hike for ‘kasambahays’ in WV

DOMESTIC workers or “kasambahays” in Western Visayas are expected to receive an additional salary of P500 per month, a member of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) said.

Wennie Sancho, labor representative to the RTWPB- Western Visayas, said the board approved the increase after the three-day marathon hearing in Iloilo City on March 27.

Sancho said they have yet to sign the final copy of Wage Order No. 3, which will take effect 15 days after publication.

“Based on the computation of the labor sector, the supposed amount to be restored is P598 per month so the P500 increase is fair enough,” he said, adding that P1,000 would be too high as demanded considering the drop in inflation.

Wage Order No. 2, which already lapsed last December 8, prescribed a minimum wage rate of P3,500 per month for domestic workers in the region.

The order removed the classification of “kasambahays” as all will receive the same wage rate regardless of whether they are working in cities or different classes of municipalities.

It replaced the previous Wage Order where domestic workers in cities and first class municipalities are prescribed to receive P2,500 per month while those in other towns are entitled to have P2,000.

This means that salary of domestic workers in cities and first class municipalities previously increased by P1,000 per month. Those in other towns was P1,500.

With the new Wage Order, all “kasambahays” are entitled to receive a monthly wage of P4,000.

Sancho said that for the labor sector, the salary hike will enhance the purchasing power of the “kasambahays” in the region.

“It would somehow provide an economic relief to these workers,” he added.

Moreover, under the existing Wage Order, withholding and interference in the disposal of wages of the domestic workers are declared unlawful and shall be punishable.

The fine is at least P10,000 but not more than P40,000 without prejudice to the filing of the appropriate civil or criminal action by the aggrieved party.

The order applies to all domestic workers, whether on a live-in or live-out arrangement, such as but not limited to general house help, “yaya,” cook, gardener, laundry person, and any person who regularly performs work in one household on an occupational basis.

It does not cover service providers, family drivers, children under foster family arrangement, and any other person who performs work occasionally or sporadically and not on occupational basis. (EPN)

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