CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Central Luzon Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) has asked for support from the public for the review of the existing kasambahay wage in the region.
Under Wage Order RBIII-DW-01, issued and effective in 2017, the minimum wage for kasambahays in chartered cities and first-class municipalities in Central Luzon is P4,000, while the minimum wage in other municipalities is P3,500.
Labor agency regional chief Ma. Zenaida Angara-Campita, chairperson of RTWPB Central Luzon, said the board initiated a review of the wage order, taking into consideration the prevailing socio-economic condition in the region.
"The board is currently reviewing the wage order for kasambahays in the region, so that we can determine whether or not there is a need to increase or update the minimum wage of our household service workers," Campita said.
Campita added that the a board will consider the needs of kasambahays, as well as their employers' capacity to pay.
As part of the review, the board secretariat will be conducting a survey in selected cities and municipalities to collect substantial data that can be used by the board.
"We encourage the public to participate in the ongoing survey. We need to get the position of the employers and kasambahays on wage increase, so the Board will be guided in policy decision-making," Campita said.
Campita also urged the public to attend the hearing on the adjustment of wage rate of kasambahays set on December 5, 2019 at the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office III in Barangay Maimpis here.
Household employers, domestic workers, barangay officials, homeowners' associations, private recruitment agencies, and domestic workers' associations are encouraged to attend.
Under the existing wage order, the general househelps, yayas, cooks, gardeners, laundry persons and persons who regularly perform domestic work in households on an occupational basis, whether live-in or live-out, are all considered domestic workers.