ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Domestic workers or “kasambahays” in Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) are set to receive a salary increase of PHP1,000 a month, effective November 22.
Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) secretary Joel Ijirani, said in a press conference late Friday that Wage Order RIX-DW-02 on granting a PHP1,000 monthly wage increase to the domestic workers' minimum salary, issued last October 22, takes effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
“The wage order will take effect on November 22 since it was published on November 7,” Ijirani said.
“Kasambahays” working in cities and first-class municipalities will receive a minimum monthly salary of PHP3,500, up from PHP2,500, while those working in other municipalities will receive a minimum of PHP3,000 a month, up from PHP2,000, he said.
Ofelia Domingo, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 director, who sits as RTWPB chairperson, said the board approved the new wage order following consultations and workshops attended by "kasambahays" and other stakeholders in the region.
Domingo said it was the "kasambahays" who made the recommendations as to the amount in the increase in the minimum salary for their sector.
“After a thorough evaluation of the results of the public consultation/hearing vis-a-vis increases in the cost of living, and competitiveness of wages between and among contiguous regions to ZamPen (Zamboanga Peninsula), the Board finally determined that there is a need to adjust the existing minimum wage rates of ‘kasambahays’ in ZamPen,” the RTWPB said in its order.
Ijirani said the wage order shall apply to all "kasambahays", whether on a live-in or live-out arrangement, such as, but not limited to general house help; baby-sitter; cook; gardener; laundry person; and any person who regularly performs domestic work in one household on an occupational basis.
He noted that not covered by the wage order are service providers; family drivers; children under a foster family arrangement; and any other person who performs work occasionally or sporadically and not on an occupational basis.
He said employers who pay their “kasambahays” a monthly salary that is higher than what is specified in the new wage order cannot use it as a basis to reduce the existing wage rate.
“Nothing in this Order shall be construed to reduce any existing wage rates, allowances and benefits of any form under existing laws, decrees, issuances, executive orders and/or under any contract or agreement between the workers and employers,” the RTWPB stated in Section 10 of the new wage order. (PNA)
