Wage hike for 'kasambahay' in Western Visayas in place next month

Starting next month, domestic workers or "kasambahays" in Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental, will receive a higher monthly wage.

This after the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Region 6 published on local dailies Thursday Wage Order No. 2, prescribing the new minimum wage rates for domestic workers in the region effective Dec. 8.

The said order was affirmed by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) on November 17 after it was approved by the Wage Board during its meeting last November 6.

Upon the effectivity of the Wage Order, 15 days after publication, "kasambahays" in all provinces in the region including highly urbanized cities of Bacolod and Iloilo shall be increased to P3,500 every month.

Under the previous wage order, which already lapsed last February, domestic workers in cities and first class municipalities receive P2,500 per month while those in other towns are entitled to have P2,000 only.

Wennie Sancho, labor representative to the RTWPB 6, said the new wage order provides no "classification" of domestic workers.

Sancho said the classification, whether workers are in cities or municipalities, was somehow "confusing and discriminatory" particularly on how much will be given to them.

"Expenses of kasambahays in any locality is almost similar. The gravity of their work is also the same thus, they all deserve to receive higher and common wage," he added.

The new Wage Order shall apply to all domestic workers, whether on a live-in or live-out arrangement, such as but not limited to general househelp, "yaya," cook, gardener, laundry person, and any person who regularly performs work in one household on an occupational basis.

It does not cover service providers, family drivers, children under foster family arrangement, and any other person who performs work occasionally or sporadically and not on occupational basis.

The order stated that witholding and interference in the disposal of wages of the domestic workers are declared unlawful and shall be punishable.

Fine is at least P10,000 but not more than P40,000 without prejudice to the filing of the appropriate civil or criminal action by the aggrieved party, it added.

Sancho, also the secretary general of General Alliance of Workers Assembly (Gawa), reiterated the group's call among employers to respect the new wage order.

"The order will not only increase the wages of the kasambahays. It will also enhance their dignity as workers," he said. — BAP, GMA News