The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Soccsksargen Region (RTWPB-12) has set a new minimum wage for domestic workers or “kasambahay” starting July 16, 2022.

RTWPB-12 Board Secretary Jessie Dela Cruz said Wednesday the board unanimously approved the PHP500 increase in the salary of “kasambahay” after a public hearing held in Koronadal City on June 28.

Under the new wage order, household workers employed in cities and first-class municipalities will receive a monthly salary of PHP4,500 while those in other municipalities should get PHP3,500.

Dela Cruz said the agency has not received any petition for salary adjustments for domestic workers and the increase was through the initiative of the RTWPB.

“We did it based on the principle of ‘motu propio’ because like our workers in the private sector, the last salary increase for household workers in the region was in 2020,” Dela Cruz said in an interview.

He said the board also took into consideration the present situation that has already affected the families of the domestic workers in the region.

The wage order is intended for domestic workers, whether under stay-in or stay-out arrangements, such general house helpers, babysitters cooks, gardeners, laundry persons, and any person who regularly performs domestic work in one household or on an occupational basis.

Those who do housework sporadically like family drivers, service providers, and the like are not covered by the order. (PNA)