The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is hopeful that the PHP5,000 minimum wage for domestic workers (kasambahay) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will encourage them to stay in the country.

In a phone interview Wednesday, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the move recognizes the need to address the well-being of domestic workers in the region.

“It could provide those who are thinking of working abroad as household helpers the impetus to stay and work here, thereby avoiding and minimizing the social costs of overseas employment,” Laguesma added.

The Bangsamoro Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (BTWPB) approved the measure on Aug. 19 through Wage Order No. BARMM-DW-01, the first wage order for domestic workers since the BARMM’s creation in 2019.

The wage order applies to all domestic workers, both live-in or live-out, across the region.

At the same time, BARMM Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) Minister Muslimin Sema said the measure would result in a “decent wage” for domestic workers which they can use to provide for the needs of their families.

Covered by the wage order are all domestic workers residing or working in BARMM, such as general house help, cooks, cleaners, laundry persons, babysitters, caregivers, gardeners, and others of the same nature.

On the other hand, excluded from the order are family drivers, children under foster family arrangements, and service providers.

The wage order will take effect 15 days after it is published in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the region.

The BARMM is composed of the provinces of Basilan, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi as well as the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi. (PNA)