By Leslie Ann Aquino

Good news to domestic workers in Metro Manila.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) – National Capital Region has issued a wage order granting a P1,500 monthly wage increase to domestic workers in Metro Manila.

This means that the monthly minimum wage for kasambahays will be set at P5,000 from P3,500.

“Whereas, after review and evaluation of the existing socio economic conditions and based on public consultations/hearing, studies and deliberation conducted, the Board agreed to provide for wage adjustments for domestic workers with immediate relief measures to manage the rising cost of living,” Wage Order No. NCR-DW-02 read.

Covered by the wage order are househelpers, yayas, cooks, gardeners, and laundry persons.

It excludes service providers, family drivers, children under foster family arrangements, and persons working occasionally only.

Based on Republic Act 10361 or the Domestic Workers Act, the minimum monthly salary of the domestic workers in the NCR was set at P2,500 per month. In December 2017, the NCR Wage Board approved a P1,000 increase in salary for domestic workers to raise the minimum monthly salary of domestic workers to P3,500.

The wage order will take effect 15 days after it is published in a newspaper of general circulation.